Workplace Safety Can Give Small Business Owners a Recruiting Edge, EMPLOYERS Survey Finds
September 06 2017 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
With the U.S. unemployment rate hovering at 4.4 percent, small
businesses looking to grow may have a harder time finding talent to
fill open positions. Many factors motivate job seekers, but a new
survey of small business employees by EMPLOYERS® (NYSE:EIG),
America's small business insurance specialist®, found that small
business owners may be underselling an important factor that could
give them an edge when recruiting new talent. The survey found
that, surprisingly, the safety of the work environment was among
the top criteria employees consider when evaluating a new job
offer. It ranked behind expected criteria such as compensation, the
nature of the work and proximity to home, but ahead of factors such
as the quality of potential coworkers and opportunities for
professional growth.
The survey also found that while most (89 percent) small
business employees believe their employers make workplace safety a
high priority, one out of 10 disagree. People who work at
businesses that employ 86 to 100 people were more likely to say
their employer prioritizes workplace safety (96 percent), compared
to people who work at micro-businesses that have one to nine
employees (87 percent).
Employees of certified women-owned business were also more
likely to believe their employer places an extremely high priority
on workplace safety (62 percent). Women-owned-businesses are more
likely than the average small business to provide workplace safety
training once a year.
“In today’s tight labor market, it’s important that small
businesses, which employ more than half of the American workforce,
recognize safety of the work environment is a top priority for
employees. One way for employers to attract and retain valued
talent is to have and communicate a commitment to workplace safety.
By fostering a safe work environment, small businesses can protect
and retain their most valuable asset, their employees,” said David
Quezada, Vice President of Loss Control at EMPLOYERS.
Employees Feel Comfortable Addressing Workplace Safety, But
Employers Are Falling Short in Providing Training
The survey also explored the comfort level small business
employees have addressing workplace safety concerns with
management. More than half of employees (52 percent) said they
would report concerns to the business owner and nearly half (48
percent) said they would speak with a direct supervisor. Women said
they are more comfortable reporting work-related safety issues (51
percent) than men (43 percent).
While workplace safety is a priority for many small businesses,
the survey reveals that more can be done to foster safe work
environments. The EMPLOYERS survey found:
- 17 percent of all small business
employees surveyed say they never receive workplace safety
training
- 25 percent of micro-businesses
employees (9 or fewer employees), say they never receive workplace safety training
- 40 percent of small business employees
say their employer does not display OSHA signage prominently or
they are not sure if it is displayed
How to Create a Culture of Safety in the Workplace
“Creating a culture of workplace safety starts at the top,”
Quezada said. “Business owners and management need to set an
example by offering regular training and displaying proper safety
signage, as well as by being open to their employees who report
concerns. Yet with the need for small business owners to wear many
hats, and without the luxury of dedicated risk professionals on
staff, many could benefit from additional resources to help them
foster a safe work environment.”
EMPLOYERS recommends the following steps small business owners
can take to create a culture of workplace safety that protects
their workers and may provide a recruiting advantage:
- Identify and assess potential
hazards – Business owners should take the time to recognize
potential hazards in the work environment and develop policies and
procedures to ensure employees can do their jobs safely.
- Lead by example – It is
important to not only communicate safety goals to everyone within
the company, but for business owners to set the model example for
others to follow.
- Train and educate regularly –
Take the time to train new employees during orientation and set up
regular trainings for all employees throughout the year. It is also
a good practice to include workplace safety policies in employee
handbooks and display safety posters throughout the workplace to
remind employees about the business’ safety priorities and
procedures.
- Enforce and evaluate – Conduct
regular workplace safety audits, safety meetings and annual safety
training sessions to enforce regulations and keep safety top of
mind for employees.
Methodology
EMPLOYERS® surveyed 1,011 US adults who work at small
businesses. The survey was fielded using the Qualtrics Insight
Platform and panel was provided by Apex Ops Group panel services.
Fieldwork was conducted between May 3 – May 5, 2017. The margin of
error was +/- 5 percent.
About Employers Holdings, Inc.
Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:EIG) is a holding company with
subsidiaries that are specialty providers of workers' compensation
insurance and services focused on select small businesses engaged
in low-to-medium hazard industries. The company, through its
subsidiaries, operates in 36 states and the District of Columbia.
Insurance is offered by Employers Insurance Company of Nevada,
Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Preferred
Insurance Company, and Employers Assurance Company, all rated A-
(Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Additional information can be
found at: www.employers.com.
Copyright © 2017 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved.
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Employers Holdings, Inc.MediaTy Vukelich,
775-327-2677Vice President, Corporate
Marketingtvukelich@employers.comorAnalystsVicki Erickson Mills,
775-327-2794Vice President, Investor
Relationsvericksonmills@employers.com
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