And bear defeat and the brute yoke of death…
Annulled, frustrated, spent, we still survive.
In anguish we labour that from us may arise
A larger-seeing man with nobler heart,” **
Preface: This is next in the series of article on HR philosophy. In the earlier articles http://kisholoygupta.blogspot.com/2009/02/h-r-philsophy.html we discussed that employees are sacred and central to the prosperity of the business. Further, it was explained that ‘man’ has to be taken care holistically in terms of physical health, vitality, emotions and intelligence. Man’s life is also about wisdom and a lot of soul searching.
This article deals at the first level, that is, with the essence and importance of care, for physical health of employees, from an HR perspective.
Essence of Physical Health:
Isn’t immortality one of man’s earliest aspirations? Isn’t basic health a basic human right in this world?
Then why is it that when we see our brethren in mines, factories and even plush offices reeling under the yoke of ill health? The physical, biological and ergonomic occupational hazards are so common that over time we begin to accept it as a part of our normal life. Disastrous!
Does the HR in organization have a role and responsibility towards this? HR is a noble profession and I strongly believe in the affirmative.
The essence of the HR philosophy in this regard is that:
The body of man must be cared for so that, for his desires in this material world, man does not disregard the value of good health. Man must be protected against disease and preventable death. Finally man must be physically made to feel comfortable to discharge his normal duties with optimum efficiency.
Don’t we understand that the body of a man could prove to be the ultimate stumbling block in it its efficiency? Migraines, back aches, ulcers, rashes, common cold are just the tip in the endless list for elementary physical problems which mars the vitality of man. Every moment, in our daily lives our vitality is at constant war with our physique.
The challenge is to lift the power of man to the level where the physical, responses perfectly with the vital emotions.
Health, strength, physical perfection and bodily happiness accelerate the efficiency. After all don’t facilities provided reflect the company’s performance?
To begin with, the HR policies with regards to health and physical care should in relation to the five sense organs.
To illustrate, HR could advocate greenery in the environment and the illumination that are cooling to the eyes. Policies on noise or music could be stipulated. The smell in the environment is as also important. An office or a workshop which smells badly could well reduce the efficiency. Where there are hazardous working conditions affecting the breathing, as in mica mines or chemical laboratories, safety precautions should be suitably ensured. Guidelines regarding temperature inside the working premises should be such as to optimize the output of the people working.
Issues with regards to the sense of taste could be very sensitive. There ought to be carefully worded instructions regarding food, beverages and the water provided to ensure that they are hygienic and palatable.
It would be futile to announce a universal policy on health and physical care therefore these are but guiding thoughts to formulate policies.
There are other related policies which relate to the physical health and comfort. For example there are policies on Travel, Leave, Working hours, Accommodation (guest houses, housing and housing loans), transportation, canteen and others.
Some organizations construct housing colonies for their employees, some have their own hospitals, while some others provide cars and buses to carry their employees to their work place. It is common to cover insurance policies for employees and their families.
There are organizations that go over board in taking care of employees. There is this anecdote of a whole restaurant shutting down for half an hour during lunch time, so that the employees of the restaurant could have their lunch break!
Therefore now the pertinent question is:
If HR supposes itself to be a noble profession and understands that care and respect for the human body is not only a basic human right but an innate human aspiration from its earliest origin, to what degree of employee comfort, should the HR policies be stipulated?
When it comes to health insurance, working from home, working hours, vacation, travel, seating to what extent should organizations go in caring for employees?
How safe should our work place be and how healthy our environment?
Not withstanding the fact the fact we are in challenging time which are almost tyrannical, please throw some light towards a guiding philosophy as to what extent should organization go towards caring for the physical health of its employees.
How much of these facilities / benefits would be too much and how little is the least that companies can do?
Citizens of the HR world, dream a rainbow, usher a golden change and create a new world! We are an integral part of the creation. Please, do come forward with your views!
“In anguish we labour that from us may arise
A larger-seeing man with nobler heart” **
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p.s. While I await views from readers, I prepare for the next article which would be the HR philosophy on caring for the emotion and the intellect of employees.
** Sri Aurobindo, Savitri
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