How To Know If You’re Hiring The Right Person

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and A key focus of my blog is Career Discussions. I key to the success in any organization is hiring the right people. Doing so will give your organization the best chance to succeed. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Know If You’re Hiring The Right Person.

* * *

If part of your job is hiring new people, you may be wondering where exactly you start. Almost anyone can present themselves well in an interview, so how do you figure out who the best candidates are? Here are some tips to help you work out who’s worth hiring…

Consider Their Potential
When you’re interviewing someone, it’s important to focus on the potential that they have, rather than what they’ve done in the past. Relevant experience is always nice, but it’s important to make sure that you hire someone who is driven to learn and wants to do better instead of someone who could do the job in their sleep. A common interview technique is walking candidates through their resumes, but is that really such a good idea? If you called them in for an interview, chances are their resume is absolutely fine. Consider the future instead and the potential that the candidate has to learn.

Source

Check Their References
It’s important to make sure that the candidate is who they say they are. Even though you should focus on the future, you need to ensure that the information you have about their past is completely accurate. Make sure that you call up their references before you offer them the job to confirm that the information you have is accurate. If you’re uncertain, you could even conduct a background check that will tell you everything that you need to know.

Source

Think About Your Current Team
It’s important to think about the team that you already have when you are hiring somebody new. Even if they remind you of someone you love who already works with you, that might not be a good thing. You want to make sure that you don’t hire clones of people who are already at the company. You need someone who has a different skillset and who brings something entirely new to the office.

Source

What About Your Office Dynamic?
A hugely underrated thing to ask oneself during an interview is: Could I handle sitting across from this person for forty hours every week? It’s important to consider whether the candidate will fit in with your office dynamic. If you can tell they’re a quiet and shy person when your office is extremely sociable and loud, there’s a chance that they might not fit in – and that they might not be happy there. Your resume has given them all the information you need on their employment history so don’t forget that part of the interview process is to work out who’s a good fit for you and your team.

Source

Ask About Hobbies And Interests
Most jobs can be learned eventually, and people can be trained to hold certain workplace skills. But there are qualities like hard work, teamwork, and a positive attitude that can’t be taught. So it’s a good idea to ask the candidate about what they like to do in their spare time. If they play on a basketball team, they know how to work well with others. If they love to draw, they’re creative. If they like to hike, they’re persevering and adventurous. You can measure people’s qualities by the way that they spend their free time.

Trust your instincts when you’re hiring new staff and you’ll get it right.

Organising A Killer Camping Trip For The Office

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success. A major key to running a successful organization is hosting successful team-building events for your staff. One such even is a camping trip. The following contributed post is entitled, Organising A Killer Camping Trip For The Office.

* * *

Image

Sometimes your workplace needs to take a break and get to know each other from another perspective, rather than by the coffee maker or around the conference table. As a working team, it is important now and again to go out and bond with your work friends to help improve the team work in the office as well as employee morale.

Today we are going to take a look at an awesome idea for a summer getaway with your team: camping. You may think that organising a camping trip will be far too complex and stressful, but it can be a beneficial way to bond and get to know your coworkers. Here are the things you need to do to plan a simple camping trip this year.

Set a Date

The important first step in planning a camping trip for the office is to set a date that works for everyone in the office and stick to it. Create a group chat with the whole of your team and give them a selection of dates to choose from. Ideally, going on a thursday and returning on a saturday works best because it still allows everyone in the workplace to spend time with their families on Sunday. Once you have a date everyone agrees on, you can set it in the calendar, choose a campsite and get ready to go.

Gear

When heading for a team camping trip, you will likely have to gather some of the supplies yourself, but it is worth asking your team if they have tents and other equipment they can bring along. One great way to create a team feel for the camping trip is to get some printed tents Here and show off your brand to the world. When gathering gear, remember that you also need to buy cooking gear and food. When deciding on food, a good idea would be to ask every member to bring some food with them which you can cook and share as a camping potluck meal.

Don’t make it too difficult

There will be people in your office who go camping every single weekend, and there will be people in the office who have never been in a tent. When planning a camping trip, it is important that you don’t assume people have been camping before, and also make sure that the campsite you use has facilities such as a toilet and shower for those who need it.

Choose activities

One of the things you need to consider when planning a camping trip is the activities you will partake in during the trip. The best way to go about this is to share the destination with the team in a group chat and simply ask people to come up with ideas they want to try. This will ensure that people aren’t forced to do things they don’t want to do, and it will also likely make people more excited to get involved.

Arrange transport

When it comes to your camping trip, the final thing which needs to be arranged is the transport. The easiest way for you to do this is to arrange for a coach to drop you off and pick you up at a certain time and day. A coach is an affordable way to travel and it will make things less stressful for everyone.

How to Actually Relax after a Long Week at Work

Two of the focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Health/Wellness. One of the keys to being successful in your career is understanding how to rejuvenate yourself. This process of self-renewal can pay tremendous dividends. The following contributed post is entitled, How to Actually Relax after a Long Week at Work.

* * *

If you feel as though you are constantly tense at the weekend, then you will know how frustrating this can be. You may feel as though you never get the chance to unwind and that you also find it difficult to switch off too.

Disconnect from your Phone

It doesn’t matter how you choose to unwind because it will be difficult to do if you are always thinking about work. If you want to help yourself here, turn your phone off as soon as you leave the office. If you have a work phone, try and leave it at your desk. This will really help you to switch off from work and it will also help you to have some more personal time too.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/iphone-technology-iphone-6-plus-apple-17663/

Run yourself a Warm Bath

Believe it or not, one of the best ways for you to relax after a long day would be for you to have a warm bath. You can wash the tension away from your body and you can also calm your mind too. If you do decide to have a bath, then light some candles and buy some bath salts. This will boost your experience and it will also help you to feel well and truly pampered.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-three-bath-balls-374039/

Try and Workout

Working out is another fantastic way for you to release those endorphins. Science has proven time and time again that exercise is a great way to relieve stress and that it’s great for your mental health. If you want to get the maximum benefit, then consider taking part in a team sport. This will help you to be more social and it will also help you to connect with other people in your local area.

Get out of the House

A change in scenery can really make a change to being cooped up inside all day. If the weather is fine, then try and seek out nature. Get out a chair, sit in the garden, and breathe in the fresh air. If you have some nice flower seeds, get them planted out or even try and rearrange the hanging basket outside your front door. Little things like this can take your mind away from work and bring it back to the present moment.

Put on Some Music

Play some soothing tunes and have a moment to yourself. The music that you listen to can influence your mood and you would be surprised at how much it could help you to relax. If you are finding it hard to choose a playlist that’s suitable then consider using Spotify as there are plenty on there to choose from.

Play a Game

Playing games like the ones on wombatcasino.com can help you to forget all about work. Try and find one that you can really get into. When you do, you’ll feel all the stress from the week leave your body and this can help you to maintain a more positive mindset. It’s also ideal if you want to have a relaxing night in.

Tips that will Help you to Avoid Unemployment Depression

Two of the focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Health/Wellness. For many, jobs aren’t just a way to earn a living, they’re also critical pieces of our lives. Losing them can thus have multiple effects on our personal well beings besides just the loss of income. It’s important to understand how to fall in depression. The following contributed post is entitled, Tips that will Help you to Avoid Unemployment Depression.

* * *

If you are out of work then you will know how frustrating this can be. You may feel as though your life has been turned upside down and that there is no possible way for you to get out of the rut you are in. This is not the case at all, and when you are able to refocus your attitude, you’ll soon find that you are able to come back bigger and stronger.

Step Back

Nobody likes losing their job. If you are unemployed then you should never look at yourself as a failure. Instead, think of your time off as a mini vacation. You could probably do with the rest anyway. Use the first few days to catch up on some rest, watch a few movies or even finish the DIY project you have going on in the garage. As long as you are doing something meaningful and enjoying your time then you are helping to put yourself in a good place.

Don’t get too Comfortable

When you’ve relaxed for a few days, it is time for you to start turning things around. Use your time wisely and get up at the same time every day. It also helps to prepare yourself for the job that you want as well. This could include taking a training course, or even going through your CV so you can add any new skills. There are plenty of services that can help you to craft the perfect CV, and when you use them, you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to make yourself appear friendly and professional.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-sitting-on-brown-wooden-chair-beside-coconut-1230665/

What you’re Feeling is Normal

Losing your job can feel like losing a loved one. A lot of people go through the grieving process when they become unemployed, and this is completely normal. If you want to help yourself then you need to let it happen. When you’ve worked through the emotions, you can then pick up the pieces and move on. Sometimes you’ll need to push yourself more than others if depression is holding you back, but you need to know that what you’re going through right now won’t last forever and that better times are just around the corner. If you lost your job as the result of personal injury, then it’s well worth contacting https://www.bellevuetrialattorney.com/.

Speak with Friends and Family

A lot of people experience a high amount of guilt when they lose their job. They feel as though they should isolate themselves and they also feel as though they shouldn’t talk to their family or friends about it too. This should never be the case, and at the end of the day, you need a support network now more than ever.

https://pexels.com/photo/adult-alone-blur-close-up-1172207/

Network

Another thing that you can do is network with other people. When you do, you can then find out if there are any other opportunities in your local area and you can even chat with people who are in the same industry as you. This will help you to broaden your horizons, and it will give you a more positive outlook in the future.

When Remote Work Goes Wrong

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is Career Discussions. Allowing your staff to work remotely is double-edged sword. It can boost productivity and it cause a decrease in productivity as well. It’s something that has to be properly managed. The following contributed post is entitled, When Remote Work Goes Wrong.

* * *

Image Source

Not so long ago, remote options seemed like the holy grail of the working world. For the average workforce, there could be nothing better than the security of set salaries and the freedom to work when it suited. And yet, as recently as the last two years, remote work has become just another way that we do business.

Now, 70% of workers spend some time operating remotely. In large part, this is because employers noticed how beneficial it can be. Employees get to manage their life/work balance at last, while employers get to enjoy the benefit of increased employee satisfaction and productivity Not to mention that remote work can help to reduce the prices which come with a commercial space and even the need to waste time finding the perfect business premises in the first place.

But, for all the articles boasting about the benefits of this way of working, there’s little mention about what can go wrong. And, sadly, remote work can go very wrong if you aren’t careful, especially during the transition stage. That doesn’t mean it can’t still work for you, but it does mean you might want to consider the following before you implement it.

The question of health and safety

As a manager, you have a responsibility to keep your team safe. That applies whether they work in the office at home. As such, you should seek home working-specific health and safety training courses like those offered by EssentialSkillz straight away, and make sure to apply that new knowledge to your changing arrangements. Make sure, too, that you ask employees to assess their work environments, and let you know about any risks so that you can take the correct action.

The small matter of rules

You should also consider rules as you make this switch. If you still expect your team to work office hours, for example, you must make it clear to them. Equally, be transparent about things like uniform. If you have conference calls, the last thing that you want is a remote worker going live in a hoodie and sweatpants. To avoid that, be clear from day one that you still expect your team to present a professional image, even when they’re at home.

Image Source

Can’t forget about contact

Contact is also vital. When your team isn’t next door whenever you need them, it can cause issues and delays which look terrible to customers. This is especially the case if you can’t get hold of remote team members for extended periods. Avoid that by implementing contact plans ahead of time. It’s always a good idea to conduct a morning meeting with remote staff using programs like Skype to start communications in the right way each day. You should then also ask every team member to stay logged onto a program like Google Hangouts, which will allow you to get hold of them at a moment’s notice whenever you need. And, that can go a considerable way towards smoothing the remote journey for all.

You’ve Lost Your Job- What Happens Next?

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success, and a key focus is Career Discussions. Most everyone will experience the loss of a job for one reason or another. If you’re fortunate, you will receive a timely warning so that you can prepare for the loss of income. Some people aren’t so lucky and the loss is sudden. In either case it’s important to know what to do in of a job loss. The following contributed post is entitled, You’ve Lost Your Job- What Happens Next?

* * *

Image: https://www.pexels.com/search/stress/

Losing your job is up there with one of the most stressful life events a person can go through. In an instant, everything is at risk- your home, your car, your credit score where you can quickly fall into debt. There’s a hugely emotional side of things where you might be wondering how you’re going to look after your family and pets, not to mention a loss of identity. Our jobs are more than just jobs, they’re part of who we are. And so losing that, your security blanket, it’s a difficult pill to swallow. If you’ve found yourself in this position, perhaps due to redundancies in the company or them going into administration, or maybe due to a fault of your own, here’s what you need to do next.

Claim any money you’re entitled to
Have you had to leave your job because you got injured? If it’s someone else’s fault then you might be entitled to compensation, make sure you’re getting what you’re owed. For example, if you were hurt while riding your motorbike then a lawyer like https://www.braininjurylawofseattle.com/seattle-truck-accident-lawyer/ would work your case for you, if it was at work then you’d have to go down the relevant channels. This money can help you with your recovery and can be a lifesaver while you’re out of work. While you don’t have a job, you may also be entitled to help from the government. See if there are any welfare or benefits you can claim to cover your basic costs and keep you going while you find something new.

Take a temporary job
Finding another job can be a lengthy process. Depending on the career you’re in and the job roles you’re going for, it can take time for a position to come up, the employer to go through CVs, call people in for interviews and eventually start. You may also get rejected a number of times along the way. For this reason, it can be worth taking a temporary job– any job you can get in the meantime. As the saying goes, it’s easier to find work when you’re in work. It might not be what you want to be doing or a long term job for you but any source of regular income is better than none. Whether it’s delivering pizzas, working in retail or cleaning, see if there’s anything available right now that you can take.

Create new sources of income
Going forward, it’s so worth building additional sources of income so you’re financially protected if you ever lose your job again in the future. Establish and monetise a blog, build up a good reputation as a freelancer or start a home business. These things will take time to get going, but you could run them alongside your new job when you finally get to work. It’s extra money for now, and if you need them in the future it’s a source of income you can rely on.

Creating A Functional Working Environment For Your Staff

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and two key focuses are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key to your organization excelling creating optimal conditions for your functions. Doing so will ensure your organization’s survival. The following contributed post is entitled, Creating A Functional Working Environment For Your Staff.

* * *

Your staff are an important asset to the business, they keep everything ticking over and hopefully, they work on improving the financial success and reputation of the company. So it’s important to create a functional working environment and here is how to do just that.

Image Source

Encourage Organized Spaces

The place in which your staff work in is highly important because they’re probably in it for the majority of their day. So it has to be an inviting space that staff enjoy working in, rather than one that they dread. One of the ways you can do this is by encouraging your staff to be more organized with their spaces. Set some rules about desk areas and what should be on the desk and what shouldn’t. Give your staff the ability to buy some storage units and other accessories for their working areas so that files and other documents and equipment can be stored away securely and out of sight. A clean and tidy environment will also help with improving the workplace productivity.

Bring In Light & Nature

Two of the most mood-boosting features that you can have in your workspace is natural light and nature. Natural light can transform the look and feel of a space, so get as much of it in as possible. Clear windows from anything that could block out the light and get blinds that allow light to shine through, rather than blocking it out completely. Think of the lighting in your office too, as a bright white light can be quite clinical.

Indoor plants are becoming increasingly popular both in households and businesses, and they create a cleaner atmosphere that you and your staff will be breathing in. Put them in all of the communal areas and encourage your staff to buy for themselves some desk plants to boost their own happiness for their work area.

Keep Communal Areas Pristine

Communal areas are going to get messy, so it’s important to hire in the right cleaners to keep the place in top condition. You should also think about the decor and furnishings that you put into your office. Get some comfortable sofas in the breakout space and some art up on the wall to add colour. Ensure your kitchens are stocked with all the crockery and cutlery need and make sure your bathrooms are regularly checked and maintained. For communal bathrooms, restroom mats are useful to have in order to reduce odours and keep everything hygienic.

Invest In Technology

Technology is certainly an important tool that many businesses need and so it’s beneficial that as a company you are investing in the right technology for your staff to be able to complete tasks as best as they can. And sometimes, lacking certain programmes or work stations can cause problems and there’s even a chance it can hinder the workplace progress overall.

Creating a functional working environment should always be prioritised. Keep those communal areas clean and promote an organized and tidy workspace that everyone can enjoy.

Making Your Office A Healthier Place

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success, and two key focuses are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. No matter what type of organization you’re running, you want to make the work environment as healthy and friendly to your employees as possible. The following contributed post is entitled, Making Your Office A Healthier Place.

* * *

Whether you are trying to encourage motivation and productivity in your company, or job satisfaction in your employees, making the office where everyone works into a more healthy environment can be very beneficial. In fact, there are several different tactics you can use. A topic you can find out more about in my post below.

A light and bright environment.

Studies show that human do less well in environments that are dark and dingy. What this means is that if you want your office to be a healthier space you really need to make it as light and bright as possible. Happily, there are multiple ways of doing this so even if you are stuck in the basement office you can still get a lighter and brighter feel.

Image source

One option is to maximize the amount of natural light that flows into the room. Something that can be done by installing additional windows, skylights, and even sun tubes which are channels that redirect natural light to areas without it.

Of course, if none of these things are an option then painting the wall white to reflect as much light as possible and installing natural looking artificial lights can help too. The same goes for lighter toned furniture and fittings.

You can even further enhance the look of your office by adding plants too. Something that can provide a much more green, and more oxygenated atmosphere to complement the light and airy space you have created.

Standing desks and office exercise equipment.

Next, there is a considerable trend towards standing, and variable height office desks at the moment and this is because it can help to break up all the sedentary sitting behavior that offices are so infamous for. In fact, standing for just a small portion of each day can reinvigorate your workforce, and health them to be healthier overall.

Additionally, adding in office exercise equipment like under desk cycles, posture ball seats, and even steppers can make a massive positive difference to employee health. This is because not only will employees gain the endorphin boost from working out, but it will ensure that the blood is being pumped around their system efficiently. Something that can help with concentration and performance as well as make them a lot happier in the workplace as well.

Outdoor working areas.

The next change that you can make around the office is to include some outdoor areas for your employees to use. I’m not just talking about a single picnic table for smokers or those eating lunch here either. Instead, why not consider installing some outdoor areas in which people can take their laptops and work, or even have meetings?

Image here

Break out areas outside can be fantastic for employee well being.

After all, getting outside into the sunlight and fresh air can have numerous health benefits such as increased vitamin D absorption. Not to mention that the opportunity to get away from their desk is bound to make most people at least 50% happier at work, with minimal effort.

Offering refreshment options.

Next, when it comes to healthy eating in the office, you can run into some issues. The problem is that you don’t want to end up prescribing what your employees can eat and drink. Oh, and the fact that if you ban caffeine, you may well just have a riot on your hands.

Happily, there is an alternative that can work wonder and its to use a company like Associated Coffee that will also deliver fresh, healthy and customized snacks to your business for your workers to consume. All along with your beverage order.

Picture source

In fact, if you are feeling particularly generous, you can include such beverages and snacks options as part of the benefits that you offer to employees free of charge. Something that means not only will your workers be eating the right thing to stay healthy, happy, and productive at work, but you’ll get the extras credit and employee satisfaction associated with offering such an added bonus as well.

A nap zone.

OK, so a nap zone might sound as if its something for preschool or a nursery rather than a professional workplace, but that isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, studies have shown that short naps or medications where employees can relax their mind and think of something other than the problem they are working on can be incredibly effective.

Of course by providing things like nap pods and bean bag beds, as well as pillow and blankets your business will be recognized by your employer for its forward-thinking, and focus on wellbeing too. It really is a win-win.

Stay goodbye to open plan offices.

Open plan offices can be bad for employee wellbeing.

Picture

While many employers prefer an open plan set out, it is often the case that employees don’t. In fact, many people feel as if they are on show, or being watched. Something that, rather having a positive effect on employee morale and productivity, can damage it instead.

In fact, for some workers that rate highly on the introversion scale, an open plan office can be seriously damaging to their mental health. To that end, if you want your office to be a healthier place, it’s essential to have alternative working arrangements that are available to all employees.

Office wellness schemes.

Finally, you can also make your office a healthier space by devising and implementing particular wellness schemes. The idea of these is that they are small initiatives that can make a big difference to your employees’ physical and mental health.

In particular, many businesses find that it’s beneficial to offer yoga classes during the workday that are subsidized by the company. Something that cannot only help workers to beat stress but also help to protect them from strain and injuries that working at a desk in set position can cause as well.

Of course, there really is no limit to the type of things you can do in office well scheme from offering counseling and conflict resolution services, to providing blanks and earphones that allow people to get cozier at their desks. Just remember that as long as it promotes your workers emotional, physical, and mental health and they are onboard, then it’s probably a smart idea for creating a healthier office environment.

6 Reasons You Should Cycle To Work

A key focus of my blog is Health and Wellness. Many people cycle to work for health and productivity benefits. There are numberous other benefits such in the realms of economics and the environment as well. The following contributed post is entitled, 6 Reasons You Should Cycle To Work.

* * *

Photo by Jonny Kennaugh on Unsplash

Now that the weather is starting to get warmer, cycling to work is becoming more and more of an option. Whilst it may not be your ideal method of transport, cycling to work is actually one of the best things you can do when it comes to saving money and looking after your health. Whether you want to lose a few pounds or you’re saving for something special, here are some great reasons to start cycling to work:

– It’s Much Cheaper Than Driving Every Single Day

As mentioned above, cycling to work is a great way to save money. Whether you drive to work or use public transport, you can cut practically all of your costs if you choose to cycle instead. In fact, the only time riding a bike to work will cost you is when you buy your bike. If you’re struggling to purchase a bike outright, you may also find that there are cycle to work schemes you can join. Not only does this mean you can buy your bike immediately, but it means that you’ll barely notice the payments being taken from your account as they’ll be deducted from your pay before you receive it. For more information about cycle to work schemes, you can visit this site here.

– It’s Great For Your Health And Fitness Levels

Cycling to work every day, no matter how far you have to cycle, is great for your health. Not only is it a great way to ensure you’re getting exercise on a daily basis, but it will also encourage you to improve your fitness further as you start to get used to the daily exercise you’re doing.

– You’ll Be Helping Lower CO2 Emissions

Another great thing about cycling to work every day is that you’ll be helping to lower CO2 emissions. Although it may be the quickest and easiest ways to travel, one of the worst things about everyone driving to work each day is that in reality, it’s really bad for the environment. Whilst there are lots of ways you can help when it comes to the environment, one of the best ways to use your car as little as you possibly can and taking your bike instead. For more tips when it comes to helping the environment, you can visit this site here.

– It’s Easy To Keep Your Bike Safe In A Shelter

One of the most common things that stops people from taking their bike to work each morning is not having a space to put it. Whilst that may be the case for some people, lots of workplaces are now using dedicated bike shelters to encourage people to cycle to work instead of drive. If your workplace doesn’t have a bike shelter yet, you could always encourage them to put one in.

– It’s Much Quicker Than Walking Or Using Public Transport

Depending on where you live, cycling to work could be a much quicker method of transport. Not only do you get to cut traffic, but if you’re cycling instead of using public transport you will also be able to miss out all of the unnecessary stops. If you have a long way to travel it will definitely take longer than driving, but once you start to get the hang of it you will pick up your pace and learn the fastest routes.

– It’s Fun And Encourages Happy Endorphins

One of the best things about exercise is that it encourages you to be happy and increases your endorphins. It’s a great motivator for the start of your day and chances are you’ll arrive at work feeling happy and energised. If you struggle to wake up in the mornings, this could be the best possible solution for you.

Are you thinking of cycling to work? What benefits could it bring you? Let me know in the comments section below.

Reducing Accidents in Your Workplace

Two of of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Depending upon the type of company you’re running, you want to think about employee safety and minimize accidents. Accidents can not only disrupt productivity, but they can also increase the likelihood of lawsuits. The following contributed post is entitled, Reducing Accidents in Your Workplace.

* * *

Credit

Workplace accidents can be costly in many different ways. As an employer, you could find yourself facing legal action if a member of your team, a customer or a visitor is injured in your workplace. You could lose money as productivity drops during any confusion or repairs. You could find yourself working without a valuable member of your team, and you could find that your reputation suffers, that you are no longer able to keep or attract the best staff and that your customers start to ask questions about what goes on in your company. Especially if the accidents begin to add up.

Of course, accidents happen. We all have the occasional trip, or we make a mistake during a loss of concentration. Machinery and equipment fail us, human error can never entirely be eradicated, and unfortunately, things don’t always go quite to plan. There will still be accidents in the workplace, just as there are on roads and in homes. But, as an employer, finding ways to reduce accidents in your workplace can increase profits, lower staff turnover, improve your reputation and the consistency of the service and products that you offer and give staff morale a big boost. It’s undoubtedly worth committing some time to look at ways to reduce the accidents in your workplace, even if there aren’t that many in the first place.

Assess Your Workplace and Staff

Some accidents can be avoided just by taking the time to look at what is going on. You should complete regular risk assessments, to help you to spot any potential risks and find ways to reduce them.

It’s also worth assessing your staff. You might want to consider drug testing services, as a sober team is always going to be less accident-prone and less of a risk to others. But, even without measures like this, it’s good to have regular staff appraisals, where you speak with your team one on one. Use this time not just to assess their performance, but also to ask them if there is anything that they need extra help with, or if there is anything that you could be doing to make their job easier and safer. As the boss sat up in the office, it’s not always easy to know what’s needed.

Does your staff also work in other locations? When you are considering how to reduce workplace accidents, it’s also smart to think about any other working environments. Perhaps you have field staff who are working on-location or are out on the road for long hours. They might be out of sight, but you can’t forget about the possibility of a fatal truck accident or a safety incident during the delivery of goods. It’s essential to consider how to keep them safe even if you don’t have eyes on them at all times. This might include things such as tracking drivers, ensuring they are well-trained, and maintaining vehicles.

Keep Maintenance up to Date

Most businesses use some kind of equipment. It might be heavy machinery, it might be vehicles, or it might just be fridges to store stock. Whatever you use, when it goes wrong or isn’t able to work at its best, it becomes more likely to cause an accident. Keep maintenance up to date, schedule yearly services, and act at the first sign of trouble.

Keep the Workspace Clean

Whether you work in an office, a shop or a factory, a dirty and messy workspace can cause trips, slips, banged heads, falls and many other accidents. Make sure all staff and customer areas are kept clean, and that your employees follow a clean as you go policy. Give them the tools that they need, such as cleaning supplies and wet floor signs, to do this efficiently.