Nearly a third of employees express concern about the insufficient number of properly trained first aid respondents in their workplaces.

In a recent study conducted by St John Ambulance, several interesting findings about employee behaviour and workplace safety have come to light. The research reveals that a significant number of employees are going above and beyond to help their colleagues, but there is also a worrying skills gap when it comes to first aid training.

Employees Going the Extra Mile

The study shows that 39% of employees take on extra work to help a colleague, while 34% make a tea or coffee when it's not their turn to show they care. More surprisingly, over a third (32%) of employees cover for a colleague when they were running late.

The Skills Gap and First Aid Training

The research indicates that inconsistencies in working patterns, hybrid working, and a lack of trained first aiders put employees at risk of not having any life-saving support in a crisis. The study shows a significant skills gap across all sectors, with nearly a quarter (22%) of the workforce having no first aid training at all. Over a fifth (22%) of those who are first aid trained have skills that are more than five years old.

The Importance of First Aid Training

Lisa Sharman, National Head of Education and Commercial Training at St John Ambulance, stated that building life-saving skills within the workplace ensures people can act quickly and confidently, and helps all employees feel safe at work. Getting first aid trained is a practical, life-saving, and powerful way for a colleague to show they care, as it equips them with skills to help in various crises.

The Save a Life September Campaign

In response to these findings, St John Ambulance is launching its Save a Life September campaign to encourage organizations to train more of their workforce in life-saving first aid. The campaign urges employers to provide up-to-date, practical first aid training to show staff they care.

The Impact of Lack of First Aid Training

The study reveals that 29% of employees have experienced times when no one in their workplace was first aid trained. Lisa Sharman emphasized that while employees are there for each other at work, many are unable to help in an emergency (despite wanting to). The research also shows that swapping teams with a colleague in the company sweepstake is shown by ten percent of employees as a way to show they care. However, this action may not be enough in a critical situation.

Showing Care in Other Ways

The study also found that making a colleague laugh when they're stressed is one of the most popular ways employees show they care (43%). Only fourteen percent of employees make their colleague a birthday cake to show they care.

In conclusion, while employees are going the extra mile to support each other, there is a clear need for more first aid training in the workplace. The Save a Life September campaign aims to address this issue and ensure that all employees feel safe and equipped to handle emergencies.