The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in many countries with varying intensity and timing. Companies are trying their best to keep business running and their employees healthy and productive. However, the process is not easy as major challenges remain for employers:

• How can we return employees to the workplace while keeping them safe and healthy?
• Should we keep more employees working from home permanently?
• Do we know how our employees are faring mentally? And are we offering the right wellbeing resources?

While some countries are reluctant to learn from other countries which are more successful in containing the virus the corporate world continues to network and benchmark each other on a regular basis. In particular, corporate medical and occupational health professionals as well as HR managers are active globally, talking to each other, exchanging information on the latest research, tools, resources and approaches. This represents a strength and helps companies advance their business goals and strategies. But how do we know what reflects a “good practice” and if it will work in our environment? We do not know for sure until tested and tried in the given company, however, if a specific approach has succeeded in various settings and countries it is more likely to work for you. An external validation of an approach, strategy or tool is provided via evaluation by subject matter experts or authorities.

The Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces has been gathering global good practice data for eight years from employers of different sizes and sectors through the Global Healthy Workplace Awards. A panel of five distinguished judges evaluates the applications each year based on the Healthy Workplace framework. The deadline for this year’s awards is August 10. See www.globalhealthyworkplace.org/awards/application for more information.

Keep in mind, companies with comprehensive and sustainable health strategies are better prepared to address any unforeseen disease challenges and will generate better business outcomes.