Wellness plans that stress hydration stations may not be high on employers’ priority lists. It can be easy to overlook workplace hydration while juggling daily responsibilities. But employee dehydration can quickly become a liability in the workplace. In fact, 75% of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration, which causes symptoms like fatigue, headaches and dizziness. While working long hours or in the heat, employees can especially be at risk of dehydration.
Employers may be losing out on increased employee productivity and other benefits of proper employee hydration. How can increasing the accessibility of a workplace hydration station be worth a company’s energy?
4 benefits employers can enjoy by increasing accessibility to hydration stations
Hydration stations are areas where employees can fill up their reusable water bottles or get a quick cup of water. There are many health- and productivity-related benefits to offering easy-access hydration stations at work, whether in an office or warehouse. Implementing several hydration stations at work can help do the following:
- Increase employee productivity.
Believe it or not, hydration is directly linked to increased performance. A recent study showed that hydration can improve workplace productivity by 14%. Another study found that college students who brought water with them into an exam scored higher than those who didn’t have water. Even a simple case of mild dehydration can drastically cloud the mind and slow productivity. This is because hydration boosts brain activity. Hydration stations that are in an employee’s eyesight can remind them to drink water throughout the day — and, by extension, maintain productivity.
- Safeguard employee health.
Dehydration can cause uncomfortable symptoms like headaches, fatigue, cloudy thinking, cramps, irritability and dry mouth. Not only can these symptoms affect job performance, but they can also chip away at an employee’s health over time. Chronic dehydration can lead to symptoms like kidney stones and urinary tract infections. In rare cases, chronic dehydration can require hospitalization. To avoid these health issues, easy-to-access hydration stations at work can remind employees to drink consistently throughout the day. This can limit employee absences due to dehydration-related illnesses, fatigue and headaches.
- Improve employee mental health.
Hydration breaks are built-in opportunities for employees to step away from their work for a short period. Taking breaks at work can reduce stress and increase energy throughout the day. By taking the time to visit hydration stations, employee mental health can be positively impacted. When employees get back to their desk or assignment, they can resume with a clearer, rested mind.
- Decrease workplace accidents and injuries.
Industrial athletes like nurses, construction workers and warehouse employees work in physically demanding environments. Their success depends on their strength and endurance. A dehydrated, fatigued and cloudy-minded industrial athlete can be more likely to make mistakes in the workplace. Some of those mistakes can lead to on-site injuries, such as slips and falls. These injuries can cost companies lots of money in the long run. However, hydrated employees can be more alert and aware of their surroundings. With an alert mind, an employee can be less likely to suffer from an accident or injury at the workplace. And employers can save on injury-related costs and legal concerns.
Work-Fit can help you prevent dehydration at work
Is your company looking to prioritize hydration in the workplace? Installing hydration stations is a great place to start. Work-Fit can help you develop a hydration plan that suits the specifics of your company. In addition to helping with workplace hydration, Work-Fit can provide a variety of services and wellness programs that prevent injuries and illnesses, as well as treat them on-site. Contact our team today for more information about our services or to learn how we can help keep your employees work fit.
