| 01 July 2009
Whatever industry you are in it is important to realize that workplace health and safety doesn't end at work. Your home environment, your relationships, your nutrition, your exercise, your rest, your social life and enjoyment all play a massive role in your health and in your performance and productivity at work...
I was recently talking to a representative from a major builder's union and I asked him, "What do you think is the major role of the union movement in today’s changing business environment."
“It to help support worker's conditions and in my industry in particular our main focus is to help workplace health and safety." he replied.
"Why is workplace health and safety so important to your members?" I asked.
“Most of our members have families to support and mortgages to pay off. If something happens to their health it affects the livelihood of their whole family."
I thought that it was great that the building industry was becoming more aware of the importance of their health and safety but something still didn't add up to me.
"If their health and safety was so important to them why does the majority of builders eat junk food during their lunch break and then often spend time drinking at the local hotel at the end of the day?"
The union representative conceded that the culture and lifestyle habits of many in the building industry left a lot to be desired.
With your company often footing the bill for your health insurance or Work Cover claims some employees don't place much emphasis on their health thinking, "If anything happens to me at work, the business will be paying for it anyway."
The United States (which also provides health insurance for their employees) spends more money per capita on this sick care (treatment when you are sick) than any other nation but it continues to rate as one of the sickest nations. This highlights the ineffectiveness and inefficiency of this "waiting until I get sick until I do anything for my health" approach.
The best way to insure your health is by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Your health provides greater security for your family and will also give you greater job security. With health care costs spiraling out of control, it is in the best interest of your employer and your family for you to be healthy. So start your true health plan today by adopting a healthier lifestyle.
