More and more people are taking care of their health – be it through a balanced diet, regular exercise or sufficient sleep. However, stressful deadlines and overtime at work often put a damper on this healthy lifestyle.
Here you can find out how your employer can help you lead a healthier life with effective occupational health management (OHM).
What is BGM?
Occupational health management (OHM) is a systematic approach that aims to promote the health and well-being of employees in a company and ensure this in the long term. It comprises a variety of measures and programs that are designed to have both a preventive and a health-promoting effect. Excessive sick leave leads to inefficiency in companies.
Presenteeism and absenteeism as a cause of insufficient productivity
“Only healthy employees, both physically and mentally, are productive and efficient in the long term.”
Productivity often falls due to inadequate performance.
One common reason for this is presenteeism: employees are present at work despite health complaints or mental stress in order to avoid absenteeism (Hemp, 2004).
This often leads to higher costs, such as reduced work performance and increased error rates.
Overall, presenteeism has a negative effect: It can prolong the duration of illness or even lead to chronicity.
Absenteeism, which is mainly due to a lack of motivation or deliberate absence from work rather than actual sick leave, is referred to as absenteeism (Seydewitz, 2009).
In 2009 alone, companies incurred costs of EUR 2,399 per employee due to presenteeism and EUR 1,199 due to absenteeism.
With a well-structured and sustainable OHM, companies can not only improve the health of their teams, but also increase their motivation and productivity.
Workplace health promotion or workplace health management?
In practice, the terms occupational health management and workplace health promotion (WHP) are often used as synonyms. However, caution is advised here, as OHF is only considered a sub-area of OHM. While workplace health promotion focuses on actively supporting employee health, workplace health management as an overarching discipline is firmly rooted in HR management and organizational development.
The 4 basic principles of BGM
The four basic principles for effective OHM are based on integration, participation, project management and a holistic approach. On the one hand, important factors are that all employees are brought on board (participation) and that the measures are strategically and systematically planned, promoted and supported (integration). On the other hand, the focus must be on the needs of the employees and all measures must be well coordinated and measurable in terms of their effectiveness (project management). OHM encompasses topics of the entire HR management and must be integrated full circle (holistic approach).
What advantages does BGM offer?
Improving the health of employees
Reduction of sick days: Preventive measures and health promotion programs reduce the number of sick days. Increased well-being: Measures to manage stress, ergonomic workplace design and fitness programs promote the general well-being of employees.
Increase in productivity
Higher performance: Healthy and satisfied employees are more motivated and more productive. Reduction of presenteeism: Employees who come to work despite being ill are less productive. BGM reduces presenteeism.
Improving competitiveness
Improving employer branding: team-building events, meal subsidies and yoga classes strengthen the employer’s attractiveness to the outside world and appeal to millennials in particular. Counteracting the war for talent: With BGM measures that are unique and future-oriented, more skilled workers and well-trained people can be attracted.
Reduction of costs
Fewer cases of illness lead to lower direct and indirect healthcare costs. Improved efficiency: Reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity lowers operating costs.
Promotion of corporate culture and employee loyalty
Health awareness: A strong OHM promotes a culture of health awareness within the company. Sustainability: Long-term investment in employee health supports sustainable corporate growth and long-term employee retention.
Improving the working atmosphere
Greater employee motivation: Employees feel valued and supported, which increases their motivation and satisfaction. Better cooperation: Health promotion measures can strengthen team spirit and cooperation within the company.
How can BGM be implemented
Companies wishing to implement occupational health management should clarify the following questions in advance:
- Status quo: Where does the company currently stand in terms of OHM?
- Goals: What does the company want to achieve with OHM?
- Selection: What measures can the company take?
- Resources: What resources does the company need/have for implementation?
- Evaluation: Do these measures help to achieve the objectives?
To begin with, the problems must be identified before they can be tackled.
Are sickness rates disproportionately high or do employees seem constantly stressed or unmotivated?
Are employees eating an unhealthy diet and falling into a food coma after lunch every day as a result?
Are there any health-promoting measures that are not effective or accepted?
Then set specific targets with a fixed date.
Examples of this could be reducing the number of sick days or improving workplace design.
It is important to note that OHM should not be implemented because many other companies are doing it, but out of conviction. Furthermore, the offer does not have to be constantly expanded, but can also simply address (potential) employees with creative approaches.
Examples of BGM measures:
- Flexible working hours (flexitime, home office, remote work)
- Fitness offers (within the company, cooperation with fitness studios)
- Workplace design (ergonomic seating, daylight, quiet room)
- Healthy eating (meal vouchers, fresh fruit and healthy snacks, workshops on healthy eating)
- Mental health (team building, appreciation, promoting employees’ potential)
- Offers for stress management, relaxation and conflict resolution
- Training for managers on the topic of “Healthy leadership”
Which BGM measures HR_4.0 Consulting ZELLNER offers:
Flexible working hours, home office and remote work
HR_4.0 tries to offer employees as much flexibility as possible.
Home office, remote work and flexitime are therefore firmly anchored in the corporate culture and the OHM.
Health Days
Feel Good Festival, Business Run or Night Run, HR_4.0 regularly gets its employees sweating.
Regular team events
Whether it’s karaoke evenings, after-work drinks or the Vienna Oktoberfest – HR_4.0 doesn’t let its guard down when it comes to team events and offers employees the crème de la crème.
Fitness facilities (internal fitness room)
In addition to the health days, there is also an in-house fitness room for all sports fans, which is accessible to everyone at all times.
Whether on the rowing machine, the weight bench or the pull-up bar – HR_4.0 offers a wide variety of fitness equipment.
Massage chair
When the rest of the day comes knocking, employees can simply relax in a massage chair before or after work.
Appreciative interaction and the promotion of potential
As HR_4.0 always wants to get the best out of its employees, a wide range of different training opportunities are offered to further enhance their strengths.
Do you have any questions about this topic for you or your company? We will be happy to advise you without obligation.
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