EFFECTS OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE VALUE OF CORPORATE WELLNESS AND WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY
How many times have we been asked, “What is your return on investment on that project?” or “How much will we make and will it be profitable?” The goal of a return on investment (ROI) is to make sure that your money is returned in the same amount – or even more. When we invest in our employees from the perspective of corporate wellness, we are also investing in our bottom line. This is even more significant in today’s environment, when the Coronavirus has infected a large portion of the workforce. Keeping our workers in the greatest possible shape, with the strongest immune systems, necessitates attending to their requirements from their heads to their toes.
Workers who walk or stand for lengthy amounts of time during the workday are susceptible to pain and dangerous musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that can have long-term repercussions on the body if they do not have sufficient foot support and shock absorption (ErgoPlus). Insoles are crucial for avoiding pain and tiredness, just as steel-toe footwear is typically required as personal protective equipment for workers. Aches and pains in the body caused by foot problems might affect the knees and back of workers. Understandably, this can lead to lower staff productivity, absenteeism, or a less-than-optimal return on your investment in terms of individual employee efficiency.
EFFECTS OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE VALUE OF CORPORATE WELLNESS AND WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY
Employers may incur significant financial losses as a result of poor foot support.
Employees who work on their feet all day are more likely to get MSDs. Prolonged standing, static postures, overexertion, and repetitive motion are all physical labor needs in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, transportation, and other industries, which can lead to aches, pains, and injuries on the job. Standing for five hours a day causes significant and long-term lower-limb muscle exhaustion, increasing your risk of back pain and musculoskeletal problems (WebMD). According to a recent study published in Human Factors, nearly half of all workers spend more than three-quarters of their workweek standing. More than 60,000 foot injuries result in lost work days per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with the average cost of a lost work day foot injury being $9,600. (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
Putting money into your employees’ feet equals more money in your pocket.
Every seven seconds, a worker sustains an on-the-job injury (Corporate Wellness Magazine.Com). Let’s face it: putting money into a project entails a certain level of understanding of the possibility for profit. As a result, return on investment (ROI) is an important part of corporate wellness in today’s world. Ignoring foot care can lead to a variety of health problems in employees, including stiffness in the feet, legs, knees, hips, and lower back, as well as balance concerns. The final effect is joint and muscle discomfort all across the body, as well as general exhaustion. These issues are exacerbated when the work environment includes hard surfaces, which are ubiquitous in many indoor and outdoor businesses.
EFFECTS OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE VALUE OF CORPORATE WELLNESS AND WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY
Employees that are afflicted with discomfort and weariness are less energised and productive. Not only does morale suffer, but pain can also result in missed time due to injuries. Thankfully, there are alternatives available today to lessen the negative impact of the workplace on employees’ feet.
Matting vs. Insoles
When it comes to reducing employee discomfort and weariness, most companies consider two possibilities. Insoles and matting for the floor. When compared to anti-fatigue mats, insoles have a number of advantages, including ease of installation, lower prices, and the ability to protect mobile workers. However, there are many different types of insoles, and workers need different insoles for different job responsibilities that demand different levels of comfort and support.
Employees and organizations benefit from the flexibility that personal insoles provide, making them an appealing choice (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety). These advantages include:
Wearability in any situation. Insoles can be worn right away without any training and go with the worker wherever he or she goes. As a result, they’re a great fit for both stationary and mobile workers who operate both indoors and out.
Comfort tailored to you. Employees can choose the insole that best suits their needs, providing for customized comfort based on their size, foot type, and arch type.
The body is in direct contact with the object. Because insoles are always situated inside the footwear, they always give an ergonomic solution.
Reduced danger. By improving balance, insoles lessen the chance of slips, trips, and falls, making the workplace safer and cutting costs associated with workers’ compensation claims. The edges of matting may curl up, posing a tripping hazard.
Simple to put into practice. Insole programs are straightforward to implement, especially if a wear trial with a core group of employees has been undertaken first.
It is economical. Insoles are less expensive than floor mats. In addition, high-quality insoles can last a long period, requiring less frequent replacement.
Choosing the Right Insole for Each Person
To choose the best insole for each employee, identify what is most important to them: shock absorption, support, or alleviating pre-existing foot issues. Companies can provide a solution for workers in every situation by finding an insole with configurable comfort options.
Shock-absorbent insoles can help prevent health and pain issues, while more supportive insoles can help bring the foot into the proper neutral posture and realign it with other body parts. Insoles that are made to fit the exact contour of a person’s foot are not the same as insoles that are made to support arches appropriately. Because they’re not rigid enough to give remedial support, heat-molding orthotic devices have no demonstrable influence on biomechanical variables as compared to the non-molded state (Journal of Foot & Ankle Research). Above all, these insoles reinforce the wrong arch that is already causing foot pain and do not provide pronation control.
Investing in your employees’ health, particularly for those who are on their feet all day, will pay off in spades. Not only will there be verifiable financial gains from more productive and efficient staff, but there will also be intangible benefits from happier and healthier employees.
EFFECTS OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE VALUE OF CORPORATE WELLNESS AND WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY