EMPLOYEES’ HEALTH & SAFETY and EMPLOYEES’ WELFARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY


PART – 1 : EMPLOYEES’ HEALTH & SAFETY

1. Meaning of Employees’ Health

Employee health refers to the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of employees working in an organization. A healthy employee is one who is free from illness, stress, and injury and is able to perform work efficiently.

Simple meaning:

Employee health means keeping employees physically fit, mentally relaxed, and emotionally stable.

2. Concept of Employees’ Health

The concept of employee health is based on the idea that a healthy worker is a productive worker.
Organizations are responsible for providing a work environment that:

Employee health is not limited only to medical treatment. It also includes:

Hotel Industry Example:

In hotels, employees work long hours, stand for long periods, and deal directly with guests. Therefore, good health facilities like medical check-ups, rest breaks, hygienic staff cafeterias, and stress management programs are very important.


3. Meaning of Employees’ Safety

Employee safety refers to the protection of employees from accidents, injuries, and hazards at the workplace.

Simple meaning:

Employee safety means keeping employees safe while they are doing their job.

Safety focuses on:

4. Concept of Employees’ Safety

The concept of employee safety is based on accident prevention. Every organization must ensure that:

Employee safety includes protection from:

Hotel Industry Example:

5. Importance of Employees’ Safety

Employee safety is very important for the following reasons:

1. Prevention of Accidents

Proper safety measures reduce workplace accidents and injuries.

2. Increased Productivity

Safe employees feel secure and work more efficiently.

3. Reduction in Medical Costs

Fewer accidents mean lower medical and compensation costs.

4. Legal Compliance

Safety measures help organizations follow labor laws and government regulations.

5. Employee Morale and Satisfaction

Employees feel valued when the organization cares for their safety.

6. Measures for Employees’ Health & Safety

Some common measures adopted by organizations are:

PART – 2 : EMPLOYEES’ WELFARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY

7. Meaning of Employees’ Welfare

Employee welfare refers to all those services, facilities, and benefits provided to employees for improving their working and living conditions.

Simple meaning:

Employee welfare means taking care of employees beyond salary.

8. Concept of Employees’ Welfare

The concept of employee welfare is based on humanitarian and social responsibility principles.
It aims at:

Employee welfare goes beyond legal requirements and focuses on employee happiness and well-being.

9. Scope of Employees’ Welfare

The scope of employee welfare is very wide and includes:

1. Economic Welfare

2. Physical Welfare

3. Social Welfare

4. Psychological Welfare

5. Educational Welfare

10. Agencies of Employees’ Welfare

Employee welfare is provided by various agencies:

1. Employer

Employers provide welfare facilities like:

2. Government

Government provides welfare through labor laws and schemes.

3. Trade Unions

Trade unions protect employee rights and demand welfare facilities.

4. Voluntary Organizations

NGOs and social organizations support employee welfare programs.

11. Types of Welfare Services

Employee welfare services are broadly classified into:

A. Statutory Welfare Services

These are legally compulsory services.

Examples:

B. Non-Statutory Welfare Services

These are voluntary services provided by employers.

Examples:

C. Intra-Mural Welfare Services

Provided within the organization.

Examples:

D. Extra-Mural Welfare Services

Provided outside the workplace.

Examples:

12. Social Security – Meaning

Social security refers to protection provided by society or government to individuals against economic and social distress caused by:

Simple meaning:

Social security means financial and social protection in times of need.

13. Social Security in India

In India, social security is provided through various laws and schemes to protect employees.

Major Social Security Measures in India

1. Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF)

A retirement benefit scheme where both employer and employee contribute.

2. Employees’ State Insurance (ESI)

Provides medical benefits, sickness benefits, and accident compensation.

3. Payment of Gratuity

Paid to employees after completing a minimum service period.

4. Workmen’s Compensation Act

Provides compensation in case of workplace injury or death.

5. Maternity Benefit Act

Provides paid maternity leave and medical benefits to female employees.

14. Importance of Social Security

15. Hotel Industry Example (Combined)

In hotels: