Hidden Side Effects of Poor Health in the Workplace
A happy, healthy team is a productive one.
For Australian businesses, investing in employee health can support more than individual wellbeing. It can also help reduce the hidden financial and operational costs of poor health in the workplace. From absenteeism and lost productivity to lower morale and engagement, the impact can extend well beyond the individual.
The good news? Employers can take practical steps to create a healthier, more productive workplace. From prevention to ongoing wellbeing, we provide practical health services that help Australian businesses support their employees to avoid poor health. Explore our onsite flu vaccination program and range of health and wellness services.
Get in touch with us today to discover how we can help you support the health and wellbeing of your team.
What Does Poor Health in the Workplace Really Cost?
Poor health in the workplace can have a significant impact on productivity, attendance and the wider team. The hidden side effects include lost productivity, higher absenteeism, presenteeism and added strain on colleagues who may need to pick up the workload. Unlike direct medical costs, many of these costs are largely invisible on a balance sheet, making their impact harder for businesses to see and measure.
Common hidden costs include:
Lost productivity
Poor health can make it harder for employees to maintain their usual focus, energy and output at work.
Higher absenteeism
Illness can lead to more sick days and unplanned employee absences.
Presenteeism
Employees may come to work while unwell but operate below their usual capacity.
Team strain
When employees are absent or struggling with poor health, colleagues may need to take on additional work, increasing pressure across the workplace.
How poor health affects productivity and morale
Poor health can affect productivity in ways that extend beyond an employee’s individual output. When employees are unwell, they may work more slowly, make errors or struggle to concentrate. On the other hand, colleagues covering their workload can experience added pressure and reduced morale.
This creates two distinct drains:
- Absenteeism, when employees are away from work.
- Presenteeism, when they are at work but not performing at their usual capacity.
Regular workplace health checks can help employers identify health risks early and provide appropriate support. Without such preventive measures, other impacts can occur, including:
Lower productivity
Health conditions can affect concentration, energy and the quality or quantity of work produced.
More pressure on workers
When employees are absent or underperforming due to poor health, other team members may need to take on additional responsibilities.
Reduced morale
Ongoing workload pressures can affect engagement, motivation and how employees feel about their workplace.
Common causes hiding in plain sight
Undetected health conditions can go unnoticed until they begin affecting employees at work. Early screening can help identify potential concerns before they become bigger risks. See below for some of the most common causes of poor health that can affect your workplace.
Poor ergonomics
An unsuitable workstation or repetitive movements can contribute to discomfort and injury. A workplace ergonomic assessment can identify risk factors and support a safer work environment.
Seasonal illness
Colds, flu and other illnesses can spread quickly through shared workplace environments, increasing absenteeism and disruption. Preventive measures can help reduce the spread among employees.
Unmanaged stress
Ongoing workplace pressures can affect employee wellbeing, concentration and productivity. Identifying sources of stress early can help employers address contributing factors and create a healthier, safer workplace.
Overlooked skin health
Regular workplace skin checks can help employees identify changes or concerns early, particularly where work involves environmental or occupational skin risks.
How employers can prevent the hidden costs
Employers can take practical steps to identify health risks early and address common causes of poor health before they affect productivity, attendance and morale.
Seasonal illness spreading through the team
On-site flu vaccinations can help employees protect against seasonal influenza and reduce disruption caused by illness.
Undetected chronic health conditions
Employee health checks and executive health checks can help identify potential health risks and encourage employees to take appropriate action.
Undetected skin cancers
Workplace skin checks provide employees with access to skin health assessments in the workplace, supporting early identification of suspicious changes.
Poor posture and repetitive strain
A workplace ergonomic assessment can identify ergonomic risks and practical adjustments to support safer, more comfortable work environments.
Stress and low morale
Health and wellbeing programs and workplace massage can provide practical wellbeing support for employees and contribute to a healthier workplace.
Book an On-Site Programme
Here at BizHealth, we make caring for your team easy and non-disruptive by coming directly to your workplace. We provide our employee care services across Australia and New Zealand, ensuring your team is not just going through the motions at work, but is truly present and thriving daily.