Good management reduces the cost of occupational health

Good management reinforces work engagement and reduces the need for occupational health services. The results are also reflected in the employer’s expenses and the work community’s performance, says Susanna Paarlahti, Service Manager of Occupational Psychology.

Management has a concrete impact on occupational health expenses

According to a study on occupational and organisational psychology, management characteristics with a direct link to employee well-being and the use of healthcare services were identified over a study period of six months.

Good management:

• reduced the prevalence of burnout and the number of occupational health physician’s appointments

• reinforced work engagement and successful recovery

• activated the use of recovery methods

• reduced the number of occupational health diagnoses.

The results were based on the responses of over 900 Finnish employees and the data recorded of their use of health services.

Management characteristics that support work ability

Effective management practices are related to the management of both people and processes. Identified characteristics:

• management of emotions and attitudes

• management by example

• consistency and transparency

• ability to restore regular processes

• sharing of responsibilities

• culture of forgiveness and learning.

Together, these characteristics help create a positive working culture and support work ability in the long term.

Management is the organisation’s joint responsibility

To succeed, management practices that promote health must be understood and applied by all members of the management team. The example of an individual supervisor means nothing if the rest of the management team does not adhere to the same values and practices. It is crucial to recognise whether the key people have a positive influence over the organisation or not.

Empowering managerial skills can be learned

The development of management requires a determined mindset, clear objectives and the management’s support to implement the change in practice. Cultural changes do not happen overnight but they can be initiated in a controlled and impactful manner with the help of training and support.

Pihlajalinna supports the development of management

Pihlajalinna Occupational Health offers its customer organisations support for developing their management as part of its work ability support work.

Pihlajalinna’s services include:

• specialist-led lectures and webinars

• workshops and work coaching

• conversational support and action plan development.

Together, we can develop impactful management practices that support work ability and reduce your organisation’s occupational health expenses.

Please contact your occupational health team for more information.