Over the last few months Optimum has been looking at how best to sustain an Aussie workforce in the light of an everchanging: workplace, environment, labour force, legislation, compliance and our ever-growing database.

The following roadmap is for your consideration.

1. Establish a baseline of risks across the workforce. This allows for targeted interventions and risk mitigation. Establish reference points to track impact.
2. Develop an integrated comprehensive strategy. It must be prevention focused. Position the business on the front foot. Identify root cause(s). Ensure the strategy can bolt onto existing initiatives.
3. Implement and track any intervention. Use the same instrument for the benchmarking as for ongoing evaluation. Use well researched standards to compare results. Turn the findings into commercial statements so that any investment in the interventions can be easily justified and expanded if needed. Identify a “program supporter” within the business to assist with smooth implementation.
4. Ensure the approach (program) is integrated within the business and part of how success is defined within the organisation. Program accountability must form part of the culture of the business. The values and norms of the business must reflect the importance of employee sustainability. Ensure the approach assists with the compliance requirements linked to ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) and United Nations Sustainability Development Goals.
5. ROI and COI. Commercial considerations are critical to the sustainability argument. The traditional Return on Investment (ROI) is an obvious calculation. The Cost of Inaction (COI) must also be considered.

Leaders must understand that any investment must be substantial, and they must be patient with outcomes as the real value in sustaining the workforce is in the longer term.

It’s time to reframe our thinking. It makes commercial sense to use a scientific approach to enhance the sustainability of our workers. Such an integrated approach will lead to healthier employees, within a healthier company, ensuring both are more sustainable. Twice the value for the same investment.

You don’t need to fully comprehend the data or the intricate interplay of risk factors affecting the sustainability of your employees and business. What’s essential is the belief that it is achievable, as evidence supports this. Like how a mechanic keeps your car running without you always understanding the details, our science backed proposition ensures the sustained well-being of employees in the workplace.

When you’re prepared to discuss developing an integrated approach that future-proofs and sustains your workforce, delivering a solid return on investment, contact our team at Optimum.