Page 14 - Marlborough Chamber Voice Magazine Summer 2022
P. 14
S U S T A I N A B L E B U S I N E S S
BUSINESS BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY WELLBEING
In this current competitive marketplace for talent, businesses that go beyond traditional benefits
to demonstrate a positive impact on the communities surrounding them could be in a better
position for the future.
With the ongoing changes to the world of work By embracing community health as a key
and the economy at large, people turn to our business strategy, employers can directly
local business leaders who play a critical role in enhance workforce availability, productivity,
protecting the communities they depend on— and engagement.
for labour, customers, and suppliers. For
businesses to strengthen their resiliency for the As an added benefit, community health efforts
next crisis, they must embrace a dramatically can drive customer longevity and loyalty,
expanded concept of employee health - one bolster the health of partners and suppliers that
that understands the limitations of individual companies depend on, and attract values-
workplace wellness and refocuses on based investors.
community health.
Here are some steps to help you get started:
Many of our local businesses have people and
wellbeing firmly centred in their core values. Understand the current state of health in
Initiatives such as free gym access, healthy food, the communities where you operate and
skin checks, paid time off for Drs visits, and your employees live.
social clubs etc have an important, positive Reach out to the local public health team,
impact on employee health and workplace who are actively tackling systemic issues
wellness. But do they go far enough? Is there a and are willing partners.
more effective approach? Connect corporate responsibility efforts to
community health needs. Collaborate with
If businesses are going to improve employee community leaders and provide industry
health and make their investment in wellbeing expertise, employee volunteer hours, or
more sustainable, they will need to recognise philanthropic giving.
the indelible link between chronic disease and Advocate for public policies and
community conditions. Focusing on individual investments that will improve community
employees’ health needs can only go so far. health.
Employers must also look outside the
workplace to secure the health of their Community health is a prescription for thriving
employees, surrounding community, and their employees, resilient businesses, and
business. economically vibrant communities that can
better withstand the next local, national or
Data shows that the greatest influence on global challenge.
employee health comes from the social,
economic, and environmental conditions in
which people live, not genetics or personal
choices. It's tough to make time for exercise if
you have dependants to look after. It’s
impossible to have a good diet when healthy
foods are unaffordable.
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