In this article, we will 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 receive if it implements them in an exemplary manner.
What is corporate health promotion?
Basically, corporate health promotion (CHP) describes a company's commitment to the health of its employees. The goal is to prevent psychological stress, illness or injuries in the workplace and to optimize the team's well-being in the long term and sustainably. The term CHP usually refers to a strategic approach that begins with a thorough analysis of the current situation and on the basis of which a plan for the implementation of improvement measures is drawn up and then implemented. After a set period of time, the results are evaluated and the measures adjusted if necessary.
The benefits of employee health
For your team, activities in the area of health promotion are a special bonus that can make working life much easier. Depending on the specific measures, this happens through the following factors, among others:
- Fewer work-related health problems and risk factors
- Better handling of stress and psychological strain
- Higher self-esteem through the feeling of appreciation
- More satisfaction and better work morale
But the benefits for you and your company are at least as far-reaching, for example through:
- Higher motivation and better performance
- Fewer absences due to illness
- Improved employee retention and reduced staff turnover as well as
- a better corporate image and thus competitiveness as an employer
The benefits are obviously numerous, which is why an additional investment in the well-being of your employees is also recommended. The best thing is that you don't have to bear this burden alone, because there are numerous support and funding options.
Contact points for funding
Health should be promoted – especially in the workplace. Anyone looking for support will therefore quickly find it. In Austria, there are both state-specific funding offers and nationwide contact points, for example:
- the Austrian Network for Corporate Health Promotion ,
- the advisory services offered by the Austrian Health Insurance Fund ,
- the Healthy Austria Fund (FGÖ) ,
- the EvalKS - sickness absence analysis of the ÖGK or
- the Austrian Company Sports Association .
There are also a number of funding opportunities for companies at EU level, such as the European Network for Workplace Health Promotion (ENWHP) or the eHealth HUB Project. The WKO's health industry platform offers a clear list of all the contact points for support.
Awards and seals of approval for corporate 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 health in the workplace.
One of the best-known institutions that award such certificates is the Austrian Network for Corporate Health Promotion (BGF), which offers companies three levels of quality assurance:
- BGF Charter: Signing a declaration of intent to adhere to the principles of BGF and to plan a project for employee health.
- BGF seal of quality: Award for a successfully completed BGF project.
- BGF Prize: Award for outstanding projects. This is awarded every three years to BGF quality seal companies.
In addition to these prestigious awards, there are many other ways to effectively communicate your own commitment to employee health. For example, the AUVA offers a seal of approval for special commitment to safety and health in the workplace, as doesrt-proved or the Styrian Chamber of Commerce with its annual health award “ fit at work” .
Conclusion: Advice and support for employee health
The success of your company depends on the health of your employees, which is why investing in company 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 given for commitment to employee health are also excellent showcases 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 just empty promises.
Are you already committed to improving the mental and physical health of your team? A first step that can be taken 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.
