Holistic corporate health management: a success factor for modern companies

In today's working world, which is characterized by rapid change and constantly increasing demands, corporate health management is becoming increasingly important. Companies that invest specifically in the health of their employees not only promote individual well-being, but also achieve economic benefits. For example, health-promoting measures help to increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and strengthen employee loyalty.

The iga.report 28, a systematic evaluation of over 2000 studies and 85 reviews on the effectiveness and benefits of workplace prevention, showed that companies can significantly reduce sick days by investing in employee health. This also makes it clear that the implementation of a comprehensive OHM is not only a question of social responsibility, but also a strategic decision to ensure competitiveness. But what does a modern, holistic OHM involve?

Greater focus on psychological issues

While occupational safety and corporate health management used to focus mainly on accident prevention and minimizing the risk of physical corporate illnesses, in recent years the topic of mental health has been receiving more attention alongside these classic prevention topics. According to a recent study by DAK-Gesundheit, mental illness and stress-related complaints are on the rise. The number of days absent due to mental illness rose by 48% to 301 days absent per 100 insured persons between 2012 and 2022. For this reason, mental hazards must now always be examined as part of a workplace risk assessment. Possible sources of disturbance, such as constant noise or social stress, must be analysed and should, of course, be minimized wherever possible. Corporate health management is also increasingly concerned with the mental health of employees. For example, there is an increasing number of advisory services on how to deal with stress (German only) or on the topic of resilience (German only) .

Health check-ups as the key to prevention

Regular health check-ups for employees are a central element of comprehensive corporate health management. These comprehensive examinations offer a detailed analysis of the current state of health and cover both physical and mental aspects. From blood tests and ultrasound examinations to detailed discussions and questionnaires on mental health - the check-ups cover a broad spectrum. The advantages of these examinations are obvious:

• Employees take a closer look at their health,
• early detection of health risks and serious illnesses, such as early-stage cancer, which might otherwise have gone unnoticed, and
• adapting their lifestyle.

It goes without saying that all results are subject to medical confidentiality, meaning that the employer does not gain any insight into individual health data.

Corporate health management supports employees in leading a healthier life

Another key component of holistic OHM is the provision of advice and fitness services. Many companies have recognized that promoting a healthy lifestyle not only improves the well-being of employees, but also increases productivity. Nutritional counseling helps employees to eat a balanced and healthy diet, which has a positive impact on their overall health and performance. In addition, regular fitness classes, such as yoga sessions or group workouts, offer a welcome change from the daily work routine and promote physical fitness and team spirit.

The introduction of joint "active breaks" at fixed times has also proven to be an effective way of promoting exercise in everyday working life. These short, guided exercises help to counteract a lack of exercise and reduce the associated health problems. Studies show that regular exercise increases employees' ability to concentrate and their general well-being. Such active breaks not only promote physical health, but also help to improve the working atmosphere as they strengthen interaction and team cohesion.

Digitalization offers new opportunities for efficient OHM

New digital solutions are increasingly being used in the implementation of holistic health management. The advantages are clear to see:

• Flexible and location-independent health promotion through online consultations and courses, e.g. online yoga courses, nutritional consultations via video conference or "active breaks"
• Saving time through digital offerings
• Easier integration into everyday working life than on-site events
• Possibility to discuss health issues directly at the workplace with doctors or experts to lower the inhibition threshold to actively take care of one's own health
• Online diagnoses, e.g. taking photos of skin conditions via app and having them assessed by dermatologists within 24 hours
• Avoiding long waiting times for an appointment

Such smartphone- or smartwatch-based diagnoses are also conceivable in other specialties and will expand the range of services on offer in the future.

Corporate health management as an important factor in recruiting

In times of skills shortages and demographic change, a comprehensive and well-structured corporate health management is becoming a decisive competitive advantage in recruiting. Potential employees are increasingly paying attention to a company's health offerings and often opt for employers who actively invest in the health of their workforce. According to a study by the AOK-Bundesverband, 77% of applicants consider health services to be an important factor when choosing their employer. Companies that offer comprehensive health management programs position themselves as attractive employers and increase their chances of attracting and retaining highly qualified talent.

Infraserv also offers comprehensive corporate health management for external companies

Corporate health management is more important today than ever. Companies that invest in their employees' health not only create a healthier and more productive work environment, but also position themselves as attractive employers in the competition for skilled labor. However, according to a study, less than 30% of companies operate a holistic corporate health management system. Many companies are overwhelmed by the task of holistic implementation and therefore often only fulfill the legally prescribed minimum requirements for occupational safety, health management or workplace integration management.

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Infraserv Höchst offers these companies the opportunity to establish a holistic and comprehensive corporate health management system. They can benefit from Infraserv's many years of experience and access to a large pool of doctors and experts without having to invest in a workplace health management program themselves. We also offer proven solutions for integrating digital health services that help you organize health promotion flexibly and from any location.