Members in focus: Building an engaged and healthy workforce for Australia’s future workplace
Health & Wellbeing -
In a parallel session at the recent ASFA Conference, TAL GM Group Claims, Chris Healey led a panel of experts for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of work in Australia and the role each of us has to play in setting up workplaces for success in the future. We caught up with Chris following the event to get his perspective on the topic.
Why is this topic so important?
“Work is the place we spend so much of our time and our health and wellbeing can be greatly impacted – both positively and negatively depending on our workplace experience,” Chris shares. We know that long work hours can impact a person’s health, jeopardise their safety and increase their stress levels. In Australia, about 13% of employees work very long hours in paid work, which is above the OECD average of 10%.1
A healthy workplace benefits everyone
Encouraging good health in the workplace also creates opportunities to unlock economic value. A Deloitte Access Economics report2 commissioned by Safe Work Australia estimates the Australia’s economy would be $28.6 billion larger each year and 185,500 additional full time equivalent (FTE) jobs would be created in the absence of work-related injuries and illnesses. In this scenario, all workers would benefit from a wage rise of 1.3% on average each year.
Gaining insight from experts
Chris shared, “In choosing the panelists for this session, it was important to ensure we drew experts with diverse backgrounds from across public and private sectors. Too often, we can fall into the trap of working in silos – whether that’s within our own organisation or even industry. The real power comes from collaboration and thought leadership across the spectrum.”
Our panellist experts were:
- Clifton Bingham – Assistant Secretary, Labour Market Research and Analysis Brand, Jobs and Skills Australia
- Megan Buick – General Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Group, Comcare
- Carly Van Den Akker – Head of Claims Australia & New Zealand, Swiss Re Life.
What's the solution?
As an industry, it’s essential that we support and encourage good health to allow members to understand and manage their risks and make the most of life, whether that’s while they’re working, making a claim or recovering, or enjoying their retirement. When we take a holistic view of health – physical, mental and financial – members feel empowered to take control of all aspects of their life.
Where to next?
The session provided a catalyst for ongoing discussion among many of the ASFA conference delegates. “It’s important that we take advantage of the momentum we’ve created and continue to collaborate widely. As a group we’ve committed to continue to work together more broadly and further develop the thinking around workplace health and wellbeing for all Australians,” shared Chris.
So watch this space for more on this topic.
2 Safer, healthier, wealthier: The economic value of reducing work-related injuries and illnesses 24 October 2022 (safe work australia and deloitte access economics)