If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that health comes first. The current scenario, two years after the onset of COVID-19, has shown that health and well-being is a fundamental pivot of the ESG agenda. In this sense, they have become a central element of business and sustainable development strategies. This is shown by “Health Footprint of Companies, III Edition (2021-2022), a report prepared by the Fortica Health and Sustainability Action Group.
The research aimed to measure the contribution of companies to people’s health and well-being and drive towards greater impact, analyzes the importance of companies implementing programs that ensure the highest standards of health, safety and well-being. To be there for employees – including mental health – across all functions and global value chains, as well as expanding access to basic preventive services in the workplace. The document states that, of the companies analyzed, 73% report specifically in SDG 3 and 67% had specific tasks in 2021 aimed at protecting and caring for health and safety, or going forward, and Health also had to be addressed. of consumers and suppliers. In this sense, the study proposes three key areas in which organizations as major players in the economy are called upon to develop good business management. These areas are:
- Achieve safety and welfare for employees
- Promoting healthy lifestyle among our customers and consumers through offering our products and services
- Protect the health and well-being of its operations and supply chain and the community at large.
1. Achieving safety and welfare for employeesThe study addresses the company’s impact on the health of its employees. Once again, it reaffirms the idea that the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the presence of health on the business agenda and acted as an accelerator for the implementation of programs focused on the health and well-being of the workforce. Is. In particular, Forética experts point out that the job has a clear and direct impact on people’s health, and can provide many benefits, but can also lead to negative consequences. Implementation of initiatives to promote a healthy lifestyle, for example, through sporting activities or a healthy diet, policies to guarantee digital disconnection or promote mental health (70% of companies in this index did both types) Health training, or related matters, are some examples of measures implemented by companies to promote improvements in the health and well-being of their employees. Furthermore, the importance of mental health is seen, beyond physical health, companies give more and more importance to the mental health care of their employees. In 2021, 70% of the companies analyzed had some specific program on mental health
2. Promoting healthy lifestyle among our customers and consumers through offering our products and services: On this aspect, the document mentions how, through offering their products and services, companies can make an impact on the health of the people who consume them. According to research, consumers currently value companies’ efforts to offer a range of products and services that contribute to their well-being and promote healthy lifestyles, and up to 49% for a sustainable product. Will be willing to pay more.
3. Protect the health and welfare of its operations and supply chain and the community in general: Finally, in relation to this sector, the document refers to the health and well-being of supply chain employees as well as those living in the communities in which the company has influence. In this sense, it has been said that guaranteeing adequate health and wellness conditions across the entire supply chain is a major challenge for companies, as it is the furthest point from their core activity and, therefore, the most difficult to control. . Despite this, the report suggests that there is a growing (and soon inevitable) trend on the part of companies to not only worry about being a responsible activity, but also about going a step further to ensure that their suppliers also act responsibly. To guarantee the highest standards of health, safety and respect for human rights in our factories.
