Occupational health is high on the agenda of employers, health insurance funds and governments. Employers must keep their ageing workforces healthy and start to view health programs as a way to improve their attractiveness as employers. For health insurance funds and governments, the workplace is an important channel for promoting preventive health and healthy lifestyles. While there is a general consensus that occupational health is important, few companies do something about it. So far, only a minority of companies have such programs in place. Our think:act CONTENT analyzes the main hurdles on the way to occupational health and highlights a seven-step program to overcome them.

The study draws on our experience with HR managers, chief medical officers, health ministries and health insurance funds. It shows how companies can identify and address the most important target groups, find the right partners and firmly embed the concept in their organization.

Effective corporate health management reduces sick leave by up to 40%anchor

Due to demographic change and the higher retirement age, the average age of people working in German companies is on the rise. Common illnesses occur ever more often in professional life, and absence from work for health reasons is increasing accordingly. Days lost through sick leave already cost German companies around EUR 60 billion, and this figure is rising. To counteract this phenomenon, companies should have their own corporate health management. Better, lower-stress working conditions and the right preventative healthcare can reduce staff absenteeism by up to 40%. Around 80% of German companies have recognized the benefits, and yet only one-third (36%) of them take their own sickness prevention action.

Corporate health management also requires the support of the top management: Only when the executive level of a company sees a sense of well-being among its employees as a priority can programs be realized to promote staff health.