Electrical Contracting News (ECN) July 2017 | Page 60

SPECIAL
FEATURE
INSURANCE
SECURING A HEALTHY FUTURE
Vicki Leslie, client relationship manager for ECIS, looks at the tools employers can use to provide a
working environment that supports the health of employees and helps cuts sickness absence levels. 
I
n a time of political change and
uncertainty, the engineering
services sector is in good
shape according to the latest
business survey by our
parent company, the
Electrical Contractors’
Association (ECA).
Certainly, good shape in terms
of turnover and business
prospects – but what about the
health of people working within
this sector? Businesses are
only as good as the people
behind them so looking after
the health and wellbeing of
employees is becoming a key
focus for many firms.
60 | July 2017
Eighty per cent of contractors
encourage employees to
have a healthy lifestyle
This is evidenced not just in the
increasing number of wellbeing
programmes ECIS is supporting
in the contracting sector, but in a
recent survey, we found 80 per cent
of contractors actively encourage a
healthy lifestyle amongst employees,
and 86 per cent of workers would
feel comfortable talking to their
employer about a health issue
that may impact their work. This is
incredibly positive news and a real
step change in business culture.
Part of this may be down to the
employment market we’re in right now.
The contracting sector is facing skills
shortages and the electrical sector has
not been immune. From the survey
feedback we received, 30 per cent of
electrical contractors said skills shortages
were having a serious impact on their
businesses and 40 per cent said their
business had been impacted marginally. 
It figures that attracting and
retaining skills, whilst reducing
workplace absence will be front of
mind for contractors right now and
many are already seeing how a working
environment that supports the health
of employees benefits their business in
numerous ways.