People want to work for an employer that cares about their wellbeing. A company that invests in its employees is investing in the business itself. Iveta Gabčanová shares why employees are the most important asset for any business: “The growth of satisfaction is to be reflected in the increase of productivity, improvement of the products’ quality or rendered services and higher number of innovations. Satisfied employees form positive reference to the employer and thus increase its attractiveness for potential job seekers and strengthen its competitive position in the market.” Satisfied employees are proven to have increased motivation, productivity, and loyalty. A safe and healthy workforce is to the benefit of everyone—when employees are happy and healthy both physically and mentally, they are less susceptible to injury or illness and are able to do their best work. Learn how pre-employment medicals, as well as ongoing medical assessments, can help you become an employee’s number one choice of employment. What Does a Pre-Employment Medical Entail? Pre-employment medicals manage risk in the workplace by ensuring the health and safety of the workforce. The series of medical check-ups assure the employer of a candidate’s medical suitability for the position, and they also offer employers key insight into how they can enhance the comfort of the new employee in their position to enable optimal performance. Pre-employment medical assessments can involve a variety of medical tests. The selection of tests depends on the physical specifications of the industry and the particular duties of the job being applied for. Pre-employment medicals include a range of tests such as: • Vision tests • Hearing tests • Drug and alcohol screening • Driving assessments • General fitness assessments The employer is responsible for the arrangement and payment of pre-employment medicals. Pre-employment medical assessments are an investment in the future financial health of a business, and they are to the benefit of both the employer and the employee. Employee absenteeism takes a severe financial toll on a company and the Australian economy at large. Pre-employment medicals mitigate financial risks while guaranteeing employees begin their career with a clear understanding of their health. 💡 Why Pre-Employment Medicals are a Win-Win for Employers and Employees. Employee Benefits of Pre-Employment Medicals Spot Health Concerns Few people enjoy going to the doctor; it reminds us of our own mortality. That being said, avoiding the doctor doesn’t alleviate the threat of illness. The sooner you discover a medical issue, the better equipped you are to face it and, hopefully, defeat it. Diabetes is an example of a medical issue that, if detected early, can be effectively managed. Diabetes affects a staggering number of Australians. It is estimated that 1.7 million Australians are afflicted with a form of diabetes. And it can be prevented. According to Diabetes Australia, “Strong evidence shows that type 2 diabetes can be prevented in up to 58% of cases in the high risk (pre-diabetes) population.” Detecting an illness early presents the best hope of successful treatment, something that is to the benefit of both the employer and employee. 💡 Learn more about the risks of Diabetes in the Workplace. Reduce the Risk of Injuries in the Workplace In high-risk industries, the lack of pre-employment medical assessments represents a clear and present danger. If the operation of motor vehicles or dangerous machinery is a key part of the industry, workplace accidents are more likely to occur. If a candidate fails to meet the mental and physical requirements of a position, it threatens their safety as well as the safety of their co-workers. Through driving tests, general fitness tests, and other assessments, pre-employment medicals certify that a prospective employee is physically and mentally equipped for their new job, which mitigates the risk of workplace injury. Set a Baseline of Health Pre-employment medicals establish an employee’s state of health upon the commencement of their employment. When combined with successive and ongoing employee health checks, an employee’s baseline of health can be compared over the following years. Should the health of an employee suffer over time, the cause of their illness or injury can be more easily determined. Is the illness or injury the result of their job, or is it completely unrelated? Pre-employment medical assessments let both the employee and employer know where they stand. It also lets the employer know how they can best accommodate their employees during their time with the company. Determining the needs of your prospective employees and meeting them upon employment fosters loyalty and commitment. Other Ways to Become an Employer of Choice Ongoing On-Site Health Checks Pre-employment medicals are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to maintaining the health and safety of the workforce. Prospective employees considering joining your company want to know they’ll be looked after should they encounter a health issue. Conducting routine health checks demonstrates your full commitment to your employees. Similar to pre-employment medicals, an employee health check is composed of an array of different check-ups designed to identify potential health concerns. Regular health checks ensure the continued health of your employees and team members. They can spot differences in health based on the initial pre-employment medical findings so that any health concerns can be treated sooner than later. 💡 Learn more about The Importance of Employee Health Checks WHA offers comprehensive medical assessments using a proprietary software that manages the entire medical from booking to processing to delivering your results. Learn more about our employment medical services available at our facilities across Australia or on-site for your convenience. **Meet (or Exceed) Industry Payment Standards There are several factors that candidates consider before applying for a job, and key among them is proper monetary compensation. People want to be paid fairly for the work they do. Matching or exceeding industry averages is a clear sign to prospective employees that they’ve much to gain by joining your company, and it shows you value their hard work. Not sure what’s fair? You can view salaries by job title in Australia using Pay Scale’s Job Index. View average Australian salaries and hourly rates for hundreds of different jobs. Provide a Way to Advance To become an employer of choice, you need to provide a clear way for employees to advance within your company. Be honest and upfront with prospective employees about how they can excel. How specifically can they move forward? How long does an employee need to be with your company before they can advance, and what do they need to do to make that happen? If you don’t provide a clear pathway for employees to move up in your company, they may begin to look for better opportunities. Care for Both Physical and Mental Health Support a work environment that is understanding about mental wellness. A study by HeadsUp.org reveals that “75% of Australian employees believe workplaces should provide support to someone who is experiencing depression or anxiety.” If you hope to grow your company to be an employer of choice among prospective Australian employees, investing in mental health initiatives is a must. Not only is it what your candidates are looking for, but empowering your employees to seek the help they need encourages a motivated, healthy, and productive workplace. Make Balance a Priority A flexible and balanced work environment is now a top priority among Australians seeking employment. According to Nick Deligiannis, managing director of Hays in Australia and New Zealand, “An organisation that doesn’t offer flexible working options is now in the minority and this has an obvious impact on attraction and retention.” Prioritize work-life balance with perks such as wellness days, physical activity allowances, or mandatory vacation. Establish and encourage an office culture that supports taking time off, and consider how you can help your employees live happy, balanced lives. Demonstrate to candidates that yours is a forward-thinking company that’s looking to the future of work. Workforce Health Assessors offers comprehensive pre-employment, pre-placement, and periodic medical assessments tailored to the needs of your business. We organise, perform, and report on all health assessments and medicals to help you determine the suitability of candidates for your business and mitigate risks in the workplace. Our tests are carefully designed and vary depending on the specifications of the role a candidate will fill. Learn more about our pre-employment medical services, ongoing employee health checks and other health assessment services. Continue Supporting Your Workforce Employee turnover is a huge expense for any business. Use our 10 tips to keep your employees delighted by their place of employment for many years to come. Read Workplace Retention: 10 Tips to Retain Valuable Talent. Sedentary behaviour leads to many long-term health risks, including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, and excess body fat. Learn how employees and employers can Reduce Sedentary Behaviour at Work.