Employee health is invaluable to the success of a company. A healthy workforce is not only more productive, but also more committed and motivated to give their best to the company. At a time when work pressure and challenges are constantly increasing, the issue of employee health is becoming more and more important.

Workplace health promotion (WHP) plays a central role in this. Workplace health promotion aims to strengthen the physical and mental health of employees. Companies should no longer treat employee health as a mere peripheral issue, but as a key aspect for sustainable success. In this blog post, you will gain valuable insights and advice on how to effectively increase the health of your employees.

BGF measures - a holistic approach to employee health

Workplace health promotion is a holistic approach that aims to strengthen physical and mental and physical employee health. This is not only about avoiding illness, but also about promoting health awareness and prevention. Companies can support their employees in creating a health-promoting work environment by developing health-conscious behaviour through targeted BGF measures.

We have compiled some of the benefits of workplace health promotion for you:

• Increased productivity: Healthy employees are more productive, happier and more efficient. Targeted promotion of employee health thus contributes to increasing productivity in the company and improving work performance.
• Reduced fluctuation: A health-promoting corporate culture enables employees to feel comfortable in their working environment. They are less likely to leave the company.
• Image and attractiveness as an employer: Companies that care about the well-being of their employees have a better image as employers. Thus, you can distinguish yourself from competitors and convince potential employees.
• Reduced absenteeism: The targeted promotion of employee health can have a positive impact on employee absenteeism. Preventive measures and a health-conscious working environment can reduce absenteeism due to illness.
• Lower health care costs: In the long term, workplace health promotion of employees can also reduce costs for absences due to illness.
• Improved working atmosphere: A healthy corporate culture creates a positive working environment in which employees feel comfortable.

Promoting employee health - measures for a healthy workplace

To promote employee health, there are useful measures that you can offer in a supportive manner. Your employees will certainly appreciate and gladly accept the benefits of workplace health promotion.

• Ergonomic workplace design: Ergonomic workplace design is essential to prevent physical discomfort and postural damage, and to promote good health. Note that office chairs, desks and monitors should be adjustable to suit individual needs. Ergonomic measures prevent back pain and tension and promote good posture.

• Take regular exercise breaks: Encourage employees to take regular exercise breaks. Stand-up meetings, stretching exercises at work or short walks will help improve circulation and activate the body. Regular exercise has a positive effect on performance and employee health.

• Stress management and relaxation techniques: Stress is a frequent trigger for health problems. Therefore, offer your employees measures to cope with stress. Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga or meditation can help reduce stress and strengthen mental health.

• Benefits for employees: A popular example of this is the offer of a job bike or company bike. Here, employees can acquire bicycles or e-bikes at reduced conditions through leasing models and promote their physical health at the same time. In addition, you can offer your employees subsidies for sports activities or gym memberships to support employee health in your company.

Employee health promotion - methods for remote work and home office

As a company, the health of employees who do not work in the office but from home must not be ignored. Especially due to the Corona pandemic, working models such as remote work or home office have become popular options and are appreciated and used by many employees.

In order to promote employee health, there are many methods that are also suitable for working from home or on the road.

These can be virtual sports activities, digital health apps and flexible working hours that support employee health. Offer your employees opportunities to strengthen their health even from home.

Ergonomic advice for employees is also important in the home office. Help your employees improve their workstations to avoid physical discomfort. In addition, small employee gifts can ensure that your employees feel just as comfortable in the home office as they do when working in the office.

Mental health measures

Strengthening the mental health of employees is of great importance in today's working world. Mental stress in the workplace is increasing and can lead to burnout and other mental illnesses. Companies are required to take preventive measures and also offer support for acute cases in order to promote the mental health of their employees.

Preventive health promotion

• Employee surveys and needs analyses: Through regular needs analyses and employee surveys, companies can identify psychological stress in the workplace at an early stage and react to it in a targeted manner.

• Stress management training: Workshops and training on stress management help employees learn how to deal with stress and reduce stressors in their daily work. Techniques for relaxation and stress management, such as progressive muscle relaxation or breathing exercises, can be taught, which strengthen general employee health and can also have a positive impact on the work-life balance.

Health promotion for acute cases

• Psychosocial counselling services:  Companies can offer psychosocial counselling services where employees can receive professional support in acute stressful situations. Both external counselling services and internal contact persons are suitable for this purpose.
• Crisis intervention: Emergency plans and clear structures should be established to deal with acute crises. Trained staff can provide support at an early stage and initiate appropriate relief measures.

Keeping employee health in focus

A healthy workforce is the foundation of a successful business. By investing in employee health in a targeted way, everyone benefits. Implementing BGF measures, promoting exercise in the workplace and creating a health-promoting work environment are just some of the steps you can take.

In addition, you can surprise your employees with small tokens of appreciation and thus increase their general well-being. Such as lucky charm key rings with the wish of a speedy recovery. Small gifts can also be found for employees in the office or home office, be it notebooks for the office or a useful item to organise the desk.

Make employee health a central concern in your company and reap the long-term benefits of a healthy and productive team. Your employees will thank you!