Putting health and safety at the heart of your culture

Real cases – real consequences

When workplace safety gets overlooked, the consequences can be massive. 

Take last year. One of the world’s largest gas and electricity distributors was hit with a £3 million fine after safety failures left a father with life-changing injuries while working on a pylon. Then, a UK food brand was fined £1.28 million when an employee was tragically killed by a delivery lorry at their bakery. 

What’s even scarier is that these aren’t isolated incidents. Financial costs are one thing, but the lasting damage to a company’s reputation sticks around long after the fine is paid. 

Safety sets the tone for success

While your team might not be working in life-or-death situations, creating a culture of safety is the right approach for any business. 

Prioritising safety goes beyond meeting legal standards. A workplace where safety is a top concern makes employees feel supported and valued. This can lead to higher engagement, better morale and stronger performance.  

Plus, employees who feel cared for are more likely to stay – reducing turnover and saving your business time and money.  

Focusing on safety can also boost productivity. When employees feel safe and supported, they're more motivated, which helps teams collaborate effectively and get things done faster. 

Perks with purpose

Employee benefits play a big role in building the kind of safe, wellbeing-focused workplaces every employer should be aiming for. 

At Perkbox, we offer things like: 

• Discounted gym memberships to help people move more and feel better 

• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that gives access to support, helplines and counselling when life gets tricky 

• A Cycle to Work scheme with savings on bikes and safety equipment, making commuting safer, cheaper and greener 

• Access to practical financial tools – like debt advice and saving tips – that help keep money worries in check 

Benefits like these help people feel supported before stress builds up or burnout sets in. And when support is easy to reach, it’s far more likely to be used. 

Small tweaks for safer spaces

Keeping people safe and well doesn’t always take sweeping changes. Often, it’s the day-to-day stuff that really adds up – like:  

Ergonomics: Comfy chairs, cushioned floor mats, safety footwear – different roles need different setups. One size doesn’t fit all, but the right fit helps prevent aches, strains and bigger issues down the line.  

Training: A quick refresher can go a long way. Make sure everyone’s clued up on best practice. 

Support: Workshops on resilience and healthy coping can give people the tools they need to look after their mental health. 

Whistleblowing: Create a culture where reporting concerns is encouraged, not feared. 

Regular reviews: Procedures shouldn’t gather dust, so keep them up to date. 

Accessible benefits: Our Perkbox app makes it easy for all your people – from warehouse to head office – to access support anytime, anywhere. 

Leadership: Empower your leaders to regularly check in with their team, recognise when someone needs support, and know how to direct them to the right resources.  

A constant commitment

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a great reminder to pause, take stock and ask: are we doing everything we can to keep our people healthy, safe and supported? 

That means reviewing your policies but also stepping back to see the bigger picture – like whether your employee benefits are helping people stay well, manage stress and feel cared for.  

The right benefits can play a big part in building a culture where safety and wellbeing go hand in hand. So if there’s room to improve, now’s a great time to start. 

Shape a safer culture

Want to boost safety, support wellbeing and make your culture even stronger? With one simple platform packed with meaningful benefits your team can actually use, Perkbox makes it easy.  

If you’re ready to see the difference, get in touch today to learn more.  

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