In the digital age, creating a safe working environment is crucial for the success of any agency. Just like everyone, employees deserve to feel safe, comfortable, and respected in their workplace. This is important for basic human well-being and healthy workplace culture.
But what does it mean to implement a safe working environment for your digital agency – and how can you create one in the first place? This article provides a step-by-step guide to help digital agencies create a safe working environment for their employees.
From ensuring physical safety to promoting mental wellbeing, this guide covers all aspects of workplace safety for optimal employee comfort, well-being, and happiness.
Physical Safety
If we’re looking at workplace safety from a Maslowian perspective, physical safety is number one on the list. Employee’s physical well-being should be a top priority for your digital agency. If you’re not sure exactly how to do that, here are some pointers to help you on your way:
- Create a hazard-free workspace – You can develop a safe workspace by identifying and eliminating potential risks.
- Ensure that all equipment and machinery are in good working order – Everything from desk chairs to microwaves to copy machines can create health risks when not in working order. Make sure they are up to scratch and fixed promptly when out of order.
- Provide adequate lighting and ventilation – This is imperative to avoid accidents and health problems. Good lighting keeps employee eyesight strong and prevents accidents from happening, while ventilation circulates the air for optimal lung function.
- Implement a fire safety plan and train employees – Everyone working in your agency should be familiar with the emergency procedures. Create and educate them on your emergency exit plans.
- Conduct regular safety inspections – To maintain a safe working environment, you need to perform frequent safety inspections. This can be done by a governmental inspector.
All in all, physical safety is one of the most important aspects of general health and well-being. Make sure your employee’s physical environment is primed for health and support.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental health is every bit as important and relevant as physical health. Without it your employees are at risk for burnout, or worse. You can promote a culture of respect, inclusivity, and open communication by following these steps:
- Train managers and team leaders — Train leaders to identify and manage mental health issues within the workplace.
- Encourage work-life balance – A balanced lifestyle is key to good mental health. You can keep your employees in a good mental space by encouraging them to spend time on personal projects and providing flexible work hours.
- Foster a positive work environment – Employees should feel included, recognised, and appreciated. A positive environment promotes employee wellbeing.
- Provide access to mental health resources and support – Mental health policies show employees where you stand on supporting them. Provide them with easy access to the necessary resources and support for managing poor mental health.
Promoting healthy mental habits like taking enough breaks, spending time outdoors, and engaging in mindful or creative exercises can also help protect employee’s mental safety.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a relatively new component of employee health that needs to be considered. Without the right protection strategy against cyberthreats, your employees could be exposed to dangerous malware or other forms of exploitative cyberattacks.
- Develop a comprehensive cybersecurity policy – A strong cybersecurity policy should educate on and address potential threats and protect employee’s private data.
- Implement security protocols – There are many different security protocols you can implement for tight cybersecurity, such as two-factor authentication and encryption. These are both effective in cyber attack prevention.
- Regularly update software and hardware – In order to stay protected against emerging threats, your tech sources should be up to scratch. Make the right updates and upgrades when needed.
- Conduct regular security audits – Cybersecurity audits are imperative for identifying potential vulnerabilities. Hire a professional tech security company to check your system.
It is also important to ensure that all employees are aware of the risks and trained to follow those best practices. Explain to them why these policies and audits are needed and train them to recognise the common signs of a data leak or cyberthreat.
Health and Hygiene
And last but certainly not least, we have health and hygiene to consider. A step further than basic physical health, hygiene is important for protecting your employees from toxins and germs. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that every agency should:
- Provide access to adequate hygiene facilities – Make sure everyone has easy access to hygiene resources, such as hand sanitisers and handwashing stations.
- Encourage employees to stay home when sick – Don’t force sick employees to come into work when ill, it’s just going to spread. Providing sick leave shows employees that you care about their health and wellbeing.
- Implement policies that promote good health practices – Regular cleaning and disinfection are just some examples of good health practices that offices can embrace.
- Provide adequate training on health and hygiene practices – Unfortunately, not all common hygiene practices are common sense. Don’t assume that everyone has the same cleanliness standards as you – provide training and tools.
- Follow government guidelines and regulations – All countries, states, and regions have policies around workplace health and safety. Make sure you are abiding by them.
No business wants to lose its credibility or its employees due to a hygiene issue – and your digital agency is no exception. Looking after employee health and hygiene is a simple but highly effective way to keep your team strong, energised, and vital.
Safety Breeds Success
Creating a safe working environment is crucial for the success of any digital agency.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, agencies can ensure the physical safety, mental wellbeing, cybersecurity, and health and hygiene of their employees.
Developing a health-oriented digital agency not only keeps your staff performing at the optimal level, but it shows them you care about their well-being.
A safe and healthy workplace promotes productivity, job satisfaction, and employee retention.