The Association of Human Resource Management Professionals (Saint Lucia) Ltd. (AHRMP) is urging employers to take workforce wellbeing more seriously as sick days, burnout and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) place growing pressure on productivity and overall business performance across the island.
The call comes amid growing concern over the increasing number of sickness benefit claims reported by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC), with projections indicating that claims could continue to rise if current health trends persist.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the AHRMP said the issue is no longer only a public health concern but a growing workforce and economic challenge with implications for businesses and national development.
“A healthy workforce is no longer simply a wellness issue – it is a business imperative,” said AHRMP President Goretti Paul.
“Poor workforce health is increasingly reflected in absenteeism, fatigue, disengagement, reduced productivity, and operational strain. Organisations that fail to invest in healthier work environments risk undermining performance, resilience and long-term sustainability.”
The association said workplace health challenges extend beyond physical illness and increasingly include mental and emotional wellbeing, both of which can significantly impact employee performance and workplace effectiveness.
Citing data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the AHRMP noted that an estimated 12 billion working days are lost globally each year due to depression and anxiety, resulting in approximately US$1 trillion in lost productivity annually.
The organisation said stress, burnout, chronic illness and mental health challenges are all increasingly affecting workforce engagement and organisational outcomes.
The AHRMP is encouraging employers to strengthen workplace wellness programmes and preventative health initiatives, while also placing greater focus on mental health awareness, healthier work environments, workload management and employee work-life balance.
“Employees are navigating increasingly demanding realities both inside and outside of the workplace,” Paul said.
“Organisations must therefore become more intentional about how work is structured, how people are managed, and how supportive workplace practices are integrated into daily operations. Investing in workforce wellbeing strengthens performance, retention, resilience, and overall business sustainability.”
The association also welcomed growing national attention on occupational safety, health and wellness, and called for continued collaboration among employers, workers, government agencies and other stakeholders to improve workforce wellbeing across the island.
The AHRMP said organisations should view employee wellbeing as a strategic priority directly tied to productivity, business resilience and long-term economic growth.
