Work-related health and safety issues must be paid for by employers, not the public

For employees, health in the workplace is essential precisely because we spend so much of our lives at work. For employers, worker health is an important determinant of productivity. (Shutterstock)

Workplace health should be a priority for everyone. For employees, maintaining health and well-being at work is essential because we spend so much of our lives working. For employers, worker health is an important determinant of productivity.

According to the Canadian Human Resources Professionals Association, the cost to Canadian businesses caused by absenteeism (absence from work due to sickness) and presenteeism (attending work despite being ill) is about $16.6 billion annually.