Employee health is safeguarded

A Future-Fit Business safeguards the health of its employees by ensuring physically safe work environments, having zero tolerance for harassment and bullying, and by nurturing emotional and mental wellbeing.

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About this goal

Companies that do not adequately address workplace health issues may cause serious long-term problems for their employees.

Note that “health” here extends beyond physical safety to mental and emotional wellbeing, and must encompass stress management and mitigation.

When it comes to physical safety, companies should take steps to minimize and mitigate the effects of accidents, and strive continuously to reduce work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities to zero.

To be Future-Fit, a company must do three things:

It must ensure the safety of all workers;
It must foster physical health (e.g. through proactive positions on exercise, nutrition and smoking); and
It must foster mental wellbeing (e.g. zero tolerance of bullying and harassment).

Why this goal is needed

Regardless of a decades-long focus on corporate health and safety, there is still much work to be done to ensure workplace safety.
Globally 2.78 million people die each year from a work-related accident or disease, and 374 million people suffer from a work-related accident or illness.
Safety issues have huge financial consequences.
The economic burden of poor occupational health and safety practices is estimated at 4% of global Gross Domestic Product each year.
Extending initiatives beyond traditional health and safety to focus on mental health can reap financial benefits.
A report by the WHO found that for every $1 spent on treatments for common mental health disorders there was a return of $4 in improved employee health and productivity.

SDGs this will contribute to

2. Zero hunger
Hundreds of millions of people today go hungry, while unsustainable farming practices degrade soil quality, use too much water, reduce biodiversity, and put rural communities under pressure.
Learn more about SDG 2
3. Good health and well-being
Health is a fundamental human right and a key indicator of sustainable development. In recent years notable progress has been made, but significant challenges remain.
Learn more about SDG 3
5. Gender equality
Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit communities and society at large.
Learn more about SDG 5
6. Clean water and sanitation
Access to clean freshwater is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people today do not have access to clean water for drinking, cooking and sanitation.
Learn more about SDG 6
8. Decent work and economic growth
Sustainable economic growth requires society to create conditions that allow the whole working age population to have quality jobs which stimulate the economy while not harming the environment.
Learn more about SDG 8