WSPS.CA | 2022 HEALTH & SAFETY LEADERSHIP SURVEY WHITE PAPER 27
However, there are several categories where employers score themselves fairly
high and employees disagree.
Employer Employee
Dealing with workplace bullying
61% 53%
Supporting employees in a challenging stage of life
63% 53%
Remote working
62% 55%
Pandemic planning
81% 66%
INGRAINING A COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY
MUST START ON DAY ONE
Effective onboarding is one the key determinants of organizational health and
safety performance.
On this topic, the survey revealed significant differences between employee
and employer perceptions. Three quarters of employers (76%), even those in
the least developed categories, say they have some type of onboarding. The top
three onboarding protocols are an overview/tour of the workplace, awareness
training on safety related procedures, and introduction to the right to refuse
unsafe work.
However, when asked about specific onboarding steps, employees remember
most at half the rate of employers. For example, 83% of employers say they
provide an overview/tour of the workplace, but only 49% of employees recall
this happening. In the case of learning about safety related procedures, 83% of
employers say they are explained, but only 37% of employees say they learned
this. The divide was similar across most facets of the onboarding process,
including being shown the location of emergency exits, learning about hazards
related to the specific job, safe work practices, being introduced to PPE, training
on operating equipment, and discussing the culture of safety.
Nearly 40% of employers said they assign a workplace "buddy" and only 17%
of employees felt that was the case.
Kiran Kapoor suggests this might represent a disconnect in effectiveness.
"Employers need to think about how the information is received, absorbed
and actioned by employees. We need to understand how to close these gaps
to support the business and employees so they are successful and they remain
healthy and safe."
She also believes it is important to ensure that managers and supervisors play
a significant role in setting and modelling expectations. "We often think about
senior leaders and employees, but there is an opportunity to strengthen the
leadership skills of managers and supervisors. The greatest influencers are
the people you report to directly."
HEALTH & SAFETY'S IMPACT
ON BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
