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2018 International Corporate Health Trends Report: Ten Recommended Actions
PEOPLE
Implement and maintain health & well-being programs globally
Health promotion and well-being programs decrease negative medical outcomes, reduce medical costs, and improve business productivity.
Psychological health should not only be a high priority but should be incorporated in all health & well-being programs
Psychological health historically was not considered a significant priority—today it is often identified as the number one threat to employee health and well-being. The stress associated with travel and/or long-term assignment has been shown to serve as a “trigger” to previously suppressed and/or medically controlled mental illness.
PLACE
Ensure access to medical services where local healthcare gaps exist
Organizations should assess local healthcare provider capabilities and limitations, and, if they do not offer adequate services, should take steps to ensure they are provided.
Implement programs that manage work-related accidents, exposures and illnesses globally
Work-related accidents and injuries can cause short- and long-term issues for the employee and organization. Effective management of workplace illnesses and injuries reduces harm to people, minimizes business disruption, and reduces costs.
Organizations should have robust systems and health programs that fulfill their duty of care obligations to protect mobile employees
Duty of care is the demonstration by management to have plans to identify, mitigate, and respond effectively to known (foreseeable) threats to personnel. The obligation of an organization is to protect and support its personnel and identify and limit the risks they may face in performing its work duties. Fulfilling its duty of care is also essential to protect the organization’s reputation.
Assess & manage site health risks & ensure compliance with local health regulations
Global organizations should ensure that their local workplaces meet or exceed minimum local regulatory requirements and are consistent with global corporate standards.
PURPOSE
Organizations should have access to corporate medical resources 24/7
Organizations should have access to timely medical expertise to support the mobile workforce, as well as provide management with guidance on health issues and incidents that may affect personnel or impact business operations.
Develop & maintain enterprise business continuity & public health preparedness plans & resources to monitor & mitigate against health security threats
Disease outbreaks, natural/man-made disasters, and other threats can impact the security of the world if not adequately managed. Credible scenarios should be identified and suitable mitigation plans put in place and routinely tested.
Use technology to target & monitor programs that improve employee well-being & health
Health-related technology has accelerated significantly since the 2014 report, and organizations now need to consider how to exploit these new modes of service delivery when developing health programs.
Health agenda should be defined in well communicated policies
Organizations should define their employee health mission, integrate its principles within their broader internal policy frameworks, and then create a strategy to meet these objectives.
