Promoting health in the workplace

Why is workplace health promotion important for employers?

1. Increasing the performance of employees:

Healthy employees are motivated employees. If employees feel good, they can perform better and therefore work more effectively. Studies show that companies that offer health promotion have more productive employees who achieve their goals faster, with greater determination and quality.

2. Strengthening employee loyalty & satisfaction:

Health promotion in the workplace promotes a positive corporate culture and demonstrates general appreciation, which enables employees to develop greater loyalty and thus a bond with the company. If a company offers various programmes in the health sector, it shows that the health of its employees is taken seriously. This makes them more willing to stay with the company for longer and therefore more satisfied.

3. Image enhancement:

If, over time, a company gains the reputation of being an employee-orientated and responsible company that invests in the health of its workforce, this generally has a positive effect on its image and therefore its own employer brand.

4. Improving the working atmosphere:

If companies support their employees with health promotion in the workplace, they feel valued and supported. If other measures to increase employee satisfaction are also integrated, this interaction results in a fundamental sense of well-being. These measures have a positive effect on the overall working atmosphere.

5. Reduction in absenteeism:

Various health measures and offers minimise the risk of illness and health risks. This can reduce absenteeism. Promoting a work-life balance, for example through flexible working hours or home office options, can also reduce absenteeism, as work and private life can be better reconciled.

6. Cost reduction:

If fewer absences occur as a result of workplace health promotion, costs for illness can be effectively saved. In addition to continued salary payments in the event of absence, fluctuation costs can also be avoided. These arise from the recruitment, familiarisation and training of employees. Preventive measures can also prevent accident and injury costs. In many countries, there are also tax and insurance benefits from promoting health in the workplace. According to a study by Techniker Krankenkasse (2018), cost savings resulting from preventive health measures in the company could significantly exceed previous investment costs in occupational health management.

What direct measures can companies take to promote health in the workplace?

Firstly: The following measures are merely ideas that can be implemented quickly. In the long term, a company needs a strategic health management system that should be customised to the needs of its employees. In order to identify the needs of the workforce, it makes sense to conduct a comprehensive employee survey.

Exercise programmes:

• Company sports such as volleyball, yoga or running groups 
• Fitness incentives such as gym memberships or the provision of sports equipment
• Exercise breaks
• Team events such as hikes or charity runs
• Job bike leasing

Nutritional programmes:

• Healthy canteen offerings
• Provision of fruit and vegetables and healthy snacks in the office
• Integration of drinking water dispensers
• Nutritional counselling
• Cookery events as team events

Stress management and mental health:

• Workshops on time management and work organisation, Relaxation programmes such as meditation, relaxation rooms and company massages
• Promotion of work-life balance through home office options and flexible working hours

Improvement of the working environment:

• Height-adjustable desks, ergonomic office furniture 
• Improving air quality through plants in the workplace.
• Air filtration systems to improve indoor air quality
• Easy-to-use tools and machines
• Promote safety in the workplace, e.g. through protective equipment or training
• Daylight lamps and well-lit workstations to reduce eye strain.

Health checks and prevention:

• Regular health checks
• Awareness campaigns on topics such as alcohol, nicotine and drugs
• Counselling and support services for affected employees
• Courses to prevent physical complaints such as back training

Incentives and reward systems:

• Health bonus programmes
• Financial subsidies: Support with the purchase of ergonomic office furniture or fitness equipment
• Challenges: competitions such as ‘step counting’ or other health-orientated challenges

Conclusion:

Health promotion in the workplace is more than just a bonus; it is an investment in a company's most important asset - its employees. It promotes the health, satisfaction, productivity and thus the loyalty of employees to the company and is therefore another important lever of the employer branding strategy. Workplace health promotion is a win-win situation for every company thanks to the various benefits it offers. Employers: There is a wide range of options for promoting health in the workplace, but every small step a company takes in this direction can make a big difference, because the true goal of workplace health promotion is long-term. Those who are healthy can be successful in the long term, and this applies to both people and companies. Together we can create a workplace that not only demands performance, but also enriches lives. Seize the opportunity and take another step towards a healthy future. 

We will be happy to support you on your path to workplace health promotion. With a targeted employee survey to uncover the individual needs of your employees.