In Times of Recession, What NOT to Cut

I sat up tall in my chair when I read an article this week in one of the many workplace blogs I follow, Construction News, which, to my horror, reported on how some companies are cutting safety processes hoping to reduce costs during these recessionary times!

Apparently, I am not the only one horrified by the prospect of companies cutting corners in safety processes, safety training, safety equipment in their workplace in the hopes of staying in business.

American Society of Safety Engineers' (ASSE) President Warren K. Brown, says "Workplace safety processes must be in place at all times... They are even more critical during business downturns."

Why is it profitable to invest in safety... even now?

I am going to repeat that, for emphasis: Spending on workplace safety is even MORE CRITICAL during a recession than during good times.

Reason: For employers, having fewer accidents at work means...

• Lower health costs
• Better employee morale > lower employee turnover, therefore less spending on hiring, training new staff
• Higher productivity (less downtime)

So, now more than ever - Big Business, Small to Mid-size Business - is the time to invest in safety, to make sure your other costs don't climb.

A safe workplace is a profitable workplace.