Committed to employee health: Support and awards for companies

In an earlier blog post, we have already examined the importance of workplace health in more detail and presented different options within the framework of workplace health promotion. In this article we take a closer look at what support and funding you as an employer can take advantage of for measures to improve employee health and what awards your company can adorn itself with exemplary implementation.

What is workplace health promotion?

Basically, workplace health promotion (BGF) describes a company's commitment to the health of its employees. The goal is therefore to prevent mental stress, illness or injuries at work and to optimize the well-being of the team in the long term and sustainably. The term WHP is usually understood to mean a strategic approach that begins with a well-founded analysis of the current situation and on the basis of which a plan for the implementation of improvement measures is developed and then implemented. After a specified period, the results are evaluated and the measures are adjusted if necessary.

The benefits of employee health

For your team, activities in the field of health promotion are a special bonus that can make working life much easier. Depending on the specific measures, this is due to the following factors, among others:

• Fewer work-related health problems and risk factors
• Better management of stress and mental stress
• Higher self-esteem through the feeling of appreciation
• Greater satisfaction and better morale

For you and your company, however, the advantages are at least as far-reaching, for example through:

• Higher motivation and better performance
• Less absenteeism due to illness
• Improving employee retention and reducing turnover as well
• a better corporate image and thus competitiveness as an employer

The advantages are obviously numerous, so an additional investment in the well-being of your employees is also recommended. Best of all, you don't have to do this alone, because there are numerous support and funding options.

Points of contact for grants

Health should be promoted - especially in the workplace. Anyone looking for support will therefore quickly find it. In Austria, there are both federal state-specific funding offers and state-wide contact points, such as:

• the Austrian Network for Workplace Health Promotion ,
• the advisory service offered by the Austrian health insurance fund ,
• the Healthy Austria Fund (FGÖ) ,
• the EvalKS - sick leave analysis of the ÖGK or
• the Austrian Company Sports Association .

There are also a number of funding offers for companies at EU level with the European Network for Workplace Health Promotion (ENWHP) or the eHealth HUB Project. The health industry platform of the WKO offers a clear list of all contact points for support.

Awards and seals of approval for workplace health promotion

A seal of approval makes it immediately clear to applicants and customers that you, as an employer, are committed to the health of your team and have demonstrably taken measures to promote workplace health.

The Austrian network for workplace health promotion (BGF), which offers companies three levels of quality assurance, is one of the best-known institutions that lend such services:

1. WHP Charter: Signed a declaration of intent to adhere to WHP principles and plan a project for employee health.
2. WHP seal of approval: award for a successfully completed WHP project.
3. BGF-Prize: Award for outstanding projects. This is awarded every three years among BGF seal of approval companies.

In addition to these renowned awards, there are many other ways to publicly and effectively communicate your commitment to employee health. For example, the AUVA also offers a seal of quality for special commitment in the area of ​​safety and health at work, as does rt-proved or the Styrian Chamber of Commerce with the annual “ fit im job” health award.

Conclusion: With advice and support for employee health

The success of the company stands and falls with the health of your employees, which is why an investment in workplace health promotion is so right and important. And since the funding network in Austria, but also at EU level, is very close-knit, you can secure organizational and financial support in many places. Awards and awards that are presented for commitment to employee health are also excellent advertisements to set you apart from the competition as an employer and to prove to future applicants that health benefits in your company are more than empty promises.

Are you already committed to improving the mental and physical health of your team? A first lever that can be set in motion here quickly and easily is a healthy lunch. Take a look at our fresh offers for companies and send us an inquiry so that we can offer your employees a delicious and nutritious organic lunch in the future.