Latest news with #employeehealth
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Working a four-day week without taking a pay cut reduces burnout
A four-day work week boosts performance, reduces burnout, and improves the physical and mental health of employees — as long as there's no change in income. These are the findings from new peer-reviewed research published in Nature Human Behaviour, where researchers monitored the effects of a four-day work week for six months. About 2,896 employees across 141 organisations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, Ireland and the United Kingdom took part. They answered surveys before and after the trial. Their answers were then compared with 285 employees from 12 companies who worked a normal five-day week. The report authors said their study highlighted the benefits of a four-day work week, but conceded it had limitations. Those included that companies self-selected to participate, which led to a sample with mostly smaller companies from English-speaking countries. Despite that, they said the study has implications for how we envisage the future of work, and four-day work weeks were a key component of that future. "Scientific advances from this work will inform the development of interventions promoting better organisation of paid work and worker well-being," the report read. Associate Professor Libby Sander, who researches the future of work, said four-day work week pilots were often about finding how people in organisations spend their time. In Australia, for example, people are working in record numbers for increasingly longer hours, contributing to a productivity slump, according to the Productivity Commission. But while employees are investing more time into work, businesses are not investing more into technologies that could offset the problem. "Some of the things that they look at to reduce is how many meetings are we having," Dr Sander, from Bond University, said. "They could have been an email, they could have been done some other way or they don't need the number of people that are in those meetings." During the trial, the average weekly working hours were reduced by about five hours. Those who reduced their work week by eight or more hours self-reported feeling less burnout and improved mental health and job satisfaction compared to those working their normal week. In the past decade, mental health claims by Australian workers aged between 30 and 40 have increased. "We know when people are really stressed and burnt out and not sleeping well, productivity doesn't just continue upwards," Dr Sander said. The federal government's productivity round table next month is expected to explore new technologies such as AI. For University of Technology Sydney's Dr Rowena Ditzell, it is an opportunity to reframe work from a focus on hours to outcomes. She said it was about breaking that traditional work paradigm and changing what it means to be an ideal worker. "The ideal worker is defined as that person who is regarded as work is their number one priority and they signal their devotion to work by their visible presence," Dr Ditzell said. The scale of change that new technologies, such as AI, will have on the future of work could be as significant as the industrial revolution, according to Professor Toby Walsh, who is the Chief Scientist at University of New South Wales AI Institute. But more importantly for Professor Walsh were the measures introduced to create systems that improved the lives of not only businesses but the workers they employed. "When we had the industrial revolution, not only did we introduce the weekend as a means of sharing some of the benefits around," he said. "We introduced universal education so people were educated for those jobs. We introduced a universal pension system so people could retire at the end of their working lives. The research in the study was supported by the US National Science Foundation, the Russell Sage Foundation and Boston College Ignite Grant. The Irish trial was supported by Forsa trade union.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Arthur J. Gallagher purchases Pennsylvania-based Equinox Agency
US-based insurance brokerage Arthur J. Gallagher has acquired Equinox Agency, a Pennsylvania-based employee health and benefits consultancy. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed. Equinox Agency, located in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, serves the Lehigh Valley area with employee health and benefits consulting services. Post-acquisition, the Equinox team, led by Thomas Groves and Dan Gagnier, will continue to operate from its existing location. The team will report to Scott Sherman, who is responsible for overseeing Gallagher's north-east region employee benefits consulting and brokerage operations. Arthur J. Gallagher chairman and CEO J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr. said: "Equinox has a strong reputation for client service and will expand our benefits consulting capabilities in the region. I am very pleased to welcome Thomas, Dan and their associates to Gallagher." In March, the company agreed to acquire Woodruff Sawyer for $1.2bn. Woodruff Sawyer is a provider of commercial property and casualty products, employee benefits solutions and risk management services, catering primarily to middle and large market clients from its San Francisco headquarters. Furthermore, Arthur J. Gallagher fully acquired Philpacific Insurance Brokers & Managers, known as Philinsure, building on an initial minority investment made in 2016. Philinsure, which was founded in 2000, operates as a commercial insurance and reinsurance broker from its Cebu City headquarters in the Philippines, with additional offices in Manila and Davao City. Headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, Arthur J. Gallagher provides insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services internationally through its network of owned offices and correspondent brokers and consultants, with operations in nearly 130 countries. "Arthur J. Gallagher purchases Pennsylvania-based Equinox Agency " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Strategies For Designing The Ultimate Wellness Program
John Graham Harper, CEO, Lumaflex. As society continues to evolve, it's important that we keep up with our progress, both on a personal and professional level. This is especially true in office-based settings, which are often fast-paced, mentally and physically demanding and stressful. To keep up with these demands, workplace wellness programs are becoming the norm. Employee wellness programs often take a holistic approach to wellness in the workplace. They're designed to ensure that workers are as physically and mentally healthy and happy as possible. Biohacking, in particular, is often a key driving force behind employee wellness programs and initiatives, yet it remains a term that is misunderstood. For business leaders looking to design the ultimate wellness program, below I'll be examining the role of biohacking and various strategies for professional working environments. What Is Biohacking? Despite biohacking gaining popularity over the last few years, the concept behind biohacking is anything but new. In fact, some principles behind biohacking can be traced back centuries, to different cultures across the globe. Sauna bathing offers a range of health benefits and has a long history. Put very simply, biohacking is a blanket term used to describe a wide array of practices and approaches designed to optimize human performance and mental and physical health and well-being. Biohacking can be achieved in a number of ways. Something as simple as eating more fruits and vegetables each day can be considered biohacking. Yet at the same time, completely overhauling a person's lifestyle and making radical changes to how a person lives their life can also be considered biohacking. Strategies For Improving Wellness At Work Employee wellness programs provided by businesses are designed to improve the physical and mental health of their employees. This in turn can help to provide a number of benefits to businesses and employees alike. According to a 2010 article published in the Harvard Business Review, Johnson & Johnson estimated that they saved as much as $250 million on healthcare costs over the course of the previous decade. This was achieved through the implementation of wellness programs. A few key examples of biohacking and natural therapies often utilized in workplace wellness programs consist of the following: Red Light Therapy Red light therapy, also known as RLT, is an innovative, non-invasive process that involves the use of a specially designed device that emits red and near-infrared light. Initially, it was used primarily for the skin, as it can help to reduce wrinkles, ease scarring and acne and speed up skin cell regeneration. When introduced to the skin, the light rays from red light therapy are believed to act on the mitochondria within cells. Each cell contains hundreds or thousands of mitochondria, with each one designed to provide it with energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). RLT is utilized in employee wellness programs because it offers many benefits. It could help improve sleep, increase blood circulation to skin tissue and reduce inflammation in skin cells, contributing to healthier skin. Despite RLT offering such potential benefits, implementing it into the workplace is easier said than done. For example, as many are unfamiliar with this technology and the basic principles behind it, employees will understandably be wary, especially in the early stages. It is therefore recommended that employers offer extensive training on operating these devices, along with education on what they are and how they work. Another issue can be a lack of devices. For larger organizations with an extensive workforce, having just one or two devices available may not be enough. While not every employee is going to use RLT devices every day while at work, it is always important to ensure that there are enough devices available. Having a designated therapy room, in a quieter, more secluded part of the office, is also a good idea. Wearable Tech In recent years, as part of their employee wellness initiatives, I've noticed an increase in the number of businesses providing their employees with wearable tech designed to improve overall wellness. Health monitoring devices, fitness trackers and smart watches are proving to be valuable business tools when it comes to employee wellness. This wearable tech provides a valuable insight into all manner of aspects of everyday health. Things such as sleep quality, stress levels, blood pressure, resting pulse rate, activity levels, water consumed and general nutrition can all be monitored. By providing these devices, businesses are able to not only gain an insight into the overall physical and mental health and well-being of their employees, but they're also able to help their workers gain these insights about themselves as well—though it's important to do so responsibly. Again, from a business standpoint, it makes sense as healthy and happy workers are likely to be more productive and need less time off from work. Dietary Modifications An army marches on its stomach. While most organizations aren't military-based, their employees still need the energy to function properly. Food and drink are the driving forces that keep the corporate wheels turning. A lack of energy can result in low productivity levels. Not only is it important to have plenty of energy, but it's also important to consume healthy, nutritious, energizing foods and drinks. As part of their wellness programs, some businesses are implementing nutrition programming and providing access to healthy and nutritious snacks and foods. Some are even hiring nutritionists and dietary experts to provide their employees with the knowledge and tools they need to lead healthier lifestyles away from work. Conclusion Overall, employee wellness programs offer a wide range of advantages to businesses and employees alike. Through various strategies, companies of all sizes are able to design the ultimate wellness program to save money, boost morale, increase productivity and maximize profits. The information provided here is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for advice concerning your specific situation. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Independent Singapore
03-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Security employees union requests Certis to stop asking officers to share their location when they're not home
SINGAPORE: In a social media post earlier this week, the Union of Security Employees (USE) stated that it had met with Certis management to better understand its medical leave policy and practices, including requests for officers on medical leave to share their live location when they are not at home. Mothership reported on June 27 that officers with Certis Cisco are required to stay home during their sick leave days and share their location if they are not at home. Failure to do so would mean disciplinary action. Shirley Loo, the Executive Secretary of USE, wrote, 'We have requested for Certis to stop the practice of requesting for officers to share their live location if they are not home. Certis, which is unionised under USE, has agreed to do so, and there will be no location tracking of officers on medical leave,' the USE wrote on Jul 1. The union added that its clear position is that officers on medical leave should use this time to rest and that the USE does not condone abusing such leaves, as this 'undermines trust and affects the well-being of the fellow officers.' The union further said it would work together with Certis to manage allegations of abuse of medical leave through fair and proper processes. Screenshot USE is also in discussions concerning ways to strengthen their internal communications with their officers. This will allow for policies and practices to be clearly explained, as well as for officers' concerns to be addressed early. Both parties will also hold regular engagement sessions with Certis officers each month, providing a platform for dialogue and feedback. 'The union remains committed to protecting the rights and welfare of our security officers and ensuring that workplace policies and practices are applied in a fair and transparent manner,' added Ms Loo. LinkedIn screengrab/ Certis Certis also issued a statement on its LinkedIn page on Wednesday (Jul 2). The company clarified that there has only been a very small number of cases of individuals misusing medical leave, as when some officers took medical certificates (MCs) to travel overseas. It also explained that its policies had not been designed to be punitive but to address instances of misuse and that its aim was to ensure fairness and maintain operational readiness, given the challenges in recruiting and retaining officers in a tight labour market. 'Certis understands that there have been rumours of employees being terminated solely as a result of non-compliance with these policies. We firmly reject these rumours. Termination of employment is decided upon the severity of an officer's misconduct, such as proven malingering, and only taken as a last resort after an extensive and fair process,' it added. /TISG Read also: Certis officer goes beyond call of duty at Changi Terminal 4, helps woman spoon conditioner into travel bottle
CNA
03-07-2025
- Health
- CNA
Certis says the way its sick leave policy was ‘perceived' has caused ‘concern and discomfort'
SINGAPORE: Certis, in an internal memo sent to staff members on Wednesday (Jul 2), said it recognised that the way its 'care visit' policy was perceived had caused concern and discomfort. The memo, seen by CNA on Thursday, was in response to backlash from its medical leave policy. The policy requires officers to remain at home if on sick leave. Managers may also check in on them, particularly those on extended medical leave, including visiting the employee's home with "small care gestures", Certis previously said in response to CNA queries. Certis also previously required employees on medical leave to share their "live" location if they were not at home. The security firm, following consultation with the Union of Security Employees (USE), has since agreed to stop location tracking of officers on medical leave. In the memo, Chief Human Resources Officer Jaclyn Lee said the care visit policy was meant to be a way to check in on employees when they are unwell. 'It was to ensure our officers are safe and to offer support, especially during extended periods of medical leave,' Dr Lee said. 'But we now recognise that the way it was rolled out, communicated, and perceived caused concern and discomfort.' Dr Lee also reiterated that termination would only be considered in serious cases, such as proven dishonesty, and will always follow a 'thorough and fair' process. Referencing the decision to stop location tracking of officers on sick leave, Dr Lee noted it was a key area of concern. 'This step reflects our commitment to protecting your privacy while keeping lines of care open,' she said. Certis is also working closely with USE to review its approach to care visits, and to improve how it supports its employees going forward, Dr Lee said. USE previously said it is discussing with the Certis management on ways to strengthen their internal communications with their officers, so that policies and practices are clearly explained and their officers' concerns can be addressed early. 'USE and Certis has agreed to co-organise regular monthly engagement sessions with Certis officers, providing a platform for ongoing dialogue and feedback," USE executive secretary Shirley Loo had said. Acknowledging that frontline roles are demanding "in every sense", Dr Lee thanked employees for their hard work, resilience and service. 'We're committed to learning from this, and to building a workplace where trust, support, and respect are not just values, but lived experiences," she said.
