Abstract
A cost-benefit analysis method for calculating the cost of employment is described. The purpose of the analysis is to portray, in financial terms, the benefits to health, productivity, and quality brought about by improved working conditions. The analysis can be used to measure the financial benefits after the completion of changes to working conditions, or it can be used to show the potential value of proposed expenditure (improvements to working conditions) and thus compete for resources on an equal footing with other enterprise proposals. The cost-benefit analysis may also be used as a sensitivity analysis to detect areas of high labor cost (e.g., high injury absences) and/or productivity losses (e.g., low quality of service or product) and thus to direct workplace improvements toward these areas, if appropriate.