Why Bangladesh should heed the global call for workplace healthcare

There is an image that persists in modern economies: the office as a neutral, unremarkable space where bodies sit and brains compute. 

But anyone who's ever felt the slow creep of tension in their neck or watched a colleague limp in after an untreated injury knows one thing: workplaces are bodies in motion. And they need support.

What we call "benefits" or "perks tucked beneath salaries" have become the compensation for ignoring employee well-being. Yet the most fundamental of all benefits remains astonishingly under-prioritised in most workspaces. And that is access to healthcare within the workplace.

Not just a health insurance card. Not just a reimbursement for medical bills. A real, physical medical presence: a doctor, a nurse, or a qualified occupational-health officer integrated into the daily life of a workplace. 

And the reason this matters is not merely humane; it's economic, social, organisational and ethical.

Bangladesh's quiet gap

Bangladesh is not without precedent. In factories, particularly in manufacturing and industrial settings, the law recognises the need for medical facilities once a workforce crosses certain thresholds. But in practice, it is rarely the case. 

In corporate environments, media houses, NGOs, and tech firms – sectors employing hundreds of thousands – medical care is often reduced to a first-aid box and a phone number. Corporate offices in particular fall behind in this category. 

Minhajul Islam Antor, a 28-year-old senior executive at a leading automobile company, shared his perspective on the issue. "We have younger employees who work long hours and travel long distances, which usually takes a toll on them physically. In my three years of experience, I have seen several employees feeling dizzy, exhausted, and experiencing burnout," he said.

For older employees, fluctuations in blood pressure and fatigue are constant sources of distress. 

"Having the presence of an expert would significantly improve the well-being of our employees. Older employees are usually more fragile and vulnerable and could particularly benefit from this," added Antor.

The cost of ignoring health

Globally, poor health is one of the most significant drags on productivity. In many countries, a startling majority of workers report mental health issues, burnout or chronic conditions that sharply reduce their capacity to work at full strength. 

These aren't abstract figures. These result in long sick leaves, unplanned absences, and "presenteeism" (the phenomenon where employees show up physically but are mentally or physically impaired).

KM Moshiur Rahman Naeem, an assistant officer at a commercial bank, expressed his experience of deteriorating health. "I have to travel long distances for my work. The daily commute sometimes makes me exhausted and less productive, even resulting in sick leave. Having a medical officer or someone equivalent could help reduce that," he said.

A recent UK report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) revealed that workplace sickness costs the economy more than £100 billion a year, with lost productivity from employees working while ill accounting for a large share of that cost. 

A major survey by 'One Medical' found that nearly three-quarters of employees say their health negatively affects their productivity, with many losing several hours of effective work each week due to untreated conditions or stress. According to Workplace Intelligence, around 91% of workers with behavioural health issues reported being less productive as a result.

Naeem shared his experience witnessing emotional distress and depression among employees. 

"Working long hours can be hectic at times. There is also dissatisfaction among employees when promotions are delayed, work isn't appreciated, and acceptance among peers is tough. These affect not only productivity but also the overall well-being of that individual,'' shared Naeem.

Having a mental health professional can help tackle these issues and create a positive environment. "If the office had someone present to take care of our emotional well-being, we would feel more taken care of and immensely grateful,'' shared Naeem.

What could be done differently

In several countries, having a healthcare provider is not a progressive idea; it is the law. Finland, for example, legally requires employers to provide occupational health services to employees, focusing on prevention, work-related risk assessment, and early intervention. 

The emphasis is not on treating disease alone, but on ensuring that work itself does not hamper the worker's health.

Apart from Finland, numerous nations in Europe mandate that employers must ensure access to occupational health physicians, especially in medium and large organisations. In Greece, companies with over 50 employees are required to appoint or contract an occupational doctor. 

In Poland and Romania, employees must undergo occupational health assessments linked directly to workplace conditions. These systems vary in structure, but they share one similar principle: health is not external to work. It is shaped by it.

In Bangladesh, some offices are helping lead the change. Ziaul Karim, head of communication and external affairs at Eastern Bank Limited, shared how it creates a sense of belonging and employee motivation. 

"We acknowledge that our employees are our family. Often, our employees dedicate 12 to 14 hours every day, and we take into account the issues they may be facing physically and emotionally. Having medical support at work is something we believe in, along with other medical benefits,'' he shared.

At the global level, the World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly argued that workplaces are among the most effective sites for improving population health, precisely because adults spend such a large portion of their lives there.