How to Encourage Employees to Report Workplace Injuries
Getting employees to report a work place injury can be difficult. But if you create an atmosphere where you show care and legitimate concern toward their well-being, the amount of cooperation between you and your employees will increase.
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Instructions
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Create an "I care" atmosphere in the workplace. Conduct a safety orientation for all new hires during which you express concern for their safety and explain how you and the company go to great lengths to provide a safe work environment. When approached about an accident or injury, thank the employee for bring it to your attention and ask if he needs help. When an employee injures himself, he is already feeling vulnerable, so make him feel better by giving him the care and attention he needs.
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Follow up on all workplace injuries. This means getting personally involved in the investigation and finding out the who, what, when, where, and---most important---the why of the injury. This concern and follow-up also will show your employees that you take their well-being and safety personally and will work hard to prevent future accidents.
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Hold those responsible for careless mishaps accountable. If an employee is injured on the job due to her own horseplay or by not following proper procedures, holding her accountable for her actions will speak a lot for your encouragement. By weeding out those who can hurt themselves and others, you're showing your employees that you care about how they perform and about their well-being.
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Explain to your employees what can happen if they don't report an injury in a timely manner. In some states if an employee has an accident or injury on the job, he or she has just two weeks from the time it occurred to report the accident and be covered by worker's compensation. After the two weeks, he or she would be held responsible for any expenses from doctor or emergency room visits. So share all legal information and any ramifications that can occur from not reporting an injury.
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Tips & Warnings
Follow up on any retaliations that may occur from the result of the injury reporting. Most big companies have an incentive program and an accident can jeopardize that incentive. Other employees might retaliate against the person who lost the incentive for them. Make sure you protect the injured employee by addressing any retaliation from other employees.
