The connection between workplace health and safety programs and worker productivity is gaining strength. The benefits can include reduced sick pay and workers’ compensation claims, along with decreased absenteeism and employee turnover. Not only do employees do better on the job when their health is optimum, their motivation is higher as well, according to New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE). MBIE states that employees in the material handling sector have seen a correlation between good health and level of productivity, including an 85 percent increase in workplace productivity and a cost-benefit ratio of 1 to 10.
As an overall result of a healthier work environment, businesses have seen, according to the MBIE report, more productivity and reduced sick pay costs, reduced injury costs as well as less production delays which often translates into more profits for the company. Additionally, in places where work health and safety was treated as a priority, there came about more cooperation between employees and upper management.