Discussing the Concepts of Employee Health, Safety and Security - Essay Example

The paper "Discussing the Concepts of Employee Health, Safety and Security" is a good example of an essay on human resources. The health, safety, and security of the employees are the components of risk management at the workplace (Mathis & Jackson, 2012). Most organizations emphasize on human resource risk management. Health, safety, and security are somewhat related. Health is a broader term and refers to a person’s general state of mental, physical and emotional well-being. Therefore, health management refers to the practice of maintaining the overall well-being of employees. A healthy person is free from any illnesses or injuries. Safety refers to the protection of a person’s physical well-being. Safety management at the workplace deals with the prevention of accidents or injuries. Security protects the employees and all the facilities in the organization. Security is a concern to both employers and employees because of the growth of workplace violence. The protection of employees in the workplace begins with effective security programs that are company-sponsored (Mathis & Jackson 2012). 
Employers have to ensure a reasonable level of health, safety and security measures of their employees at the workplace for ethical as well as business-related reasons. Employees in Industrial corporations may use harsh chemicals that affect them or use machinery that may have an effect on them later. They have a right to protection from such, as they are a risk to their health. Unhealthy employees are not productive and are always on sick leave. Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment and safe systems and facilities to use at work. Different employees have different safety requirements. For example, pregnant women or disabled people require more care than other people do. Injuries may occur due to slipping, tripping or falling in the workplace. These injuries may affect any employee. To the employers, ensuring safety is more of an investment than an expense because a safe workplace is more economical and efficient (Phillips & Gully, 2013).   

Failure to ensure that premises and the work practices are safe may result in criminal prosecutions or employees suing for damages. This will make an organization lose a lot of money and may even lead to closure if the government declares the working environment dangerous to the wellbeing of humans. The retention rate for employees will also reduce as nobody feels comfortable working in an unsafe environment. The productivity will decrease and so will the profits (Guarascio, Brebbia & Garzia, 2013).
 The protection of employees in the workplace begins with effective security programs, which are company-sponsored. Companies have adopted codes of conduct that reduce violence between employees. Some companies encourage regular medical check-ups of their employees to ensure their overall well-being. Nutrition health programs are some of the new programs in workplaces to ensure employees make healthier choices when it comes to food. The experts are responsible for promoting health focus on lifestyle and behavioral changes. To create a safe working environment, some employers screen potential employees and if a person has a criminal record or is wanted by the authorities, they will not be hired. In addition, Labor unions help employees to secure health insurance covers and safe working conditions that are secure. The experts responsible for protecting health create safe working conditions and limit the exposure to hazards (Fertma & Allensworth, 2010). Moreover, the government came up with acts and policies that outline the role of the employer and the code of conduct at the workplace to create safe, healthy and secure work settings (Fertma & Allensworth, 2010).