Corporate Health Management (CHM): Definition, Measures & Methods

Table of Contents:

1. What is Corporate Health Management (CHM)?
2. Implementation of Corporate Health Management
3. Measures in Corporate Health Management
4. Evaluation and Success Monitoring in Corporate Health Management

1. What is Corporate Health Management (CHM)?

Corporate Health Management (CHM) is becoming increasingly important in companies today. Studies and research on health promotion, as well as the rising employee turnover in the labor market, have made companies realize that the health of their employees has a direct impact on their well-being, commitment, and performance.

Corporate Health Management (CHM) involves strategically developing and implementing measures to assess, promote, and sustain the health of employees. The focus of CHM lies in a holistic view of working conditions and the individual needs and health resources of the workforce. The aim of CHM is to reduce both physical and psychological stress in the workplace through various measures and to design working conditions that positively impact employee health.

However, for CHM to be implemented sustainably and effectively, a systematic and holistic approach is required that goes beyond simply introducing measures.

Professional CHM includes conducting analysis processes, developing health concepts, and continuously evaluating the implemented measures for workplace health promotion (WHP). Additionally, effective CHM should not only focus on health promotion measures for identified stressors but also proactively include preventive measures.

In detail, the following tasks should be considered as part of CHM:

• Analyzing existing health risks and stressors at the workplace
• Analyzing potential health risks and stressors at the workplace
• Developing individual measures to counter existing stressors
• Developing individual preventive measures
• Implementing the developed measures within the organization
• Evaluating and further developing the measures

The central goal of CHM is to sustainably improve the health, motivation, performance, and satisfaction of employees. Healthy and satisfied employees are not only less frequently absent but are also more productive and engaged. Companies that invest in the health of their employees benefit from lower turnover, higher employee retention, and a positive image as an attractive employer. Thus, Corporate Health Management significantly contributes to enhancing competitiveness and ensuring long-term business success.

Goals of Corporate Health Management (CHM)

The goals of CHM can vary greatly depending on the company and individual context. Generally, successful CHM positively impacts various areas and resources within the organization. The goals can be divided into personal, organizational, and economic goals.

• Personal Goals
• Organizational Goals
• Economic Goals

In summary, companies can only benefit from CHM measures on organizational and economic levels by first achieving personal goals. Thus, professional CHM requires a focus on people within the company, aiming to protect, strengthen, and develop them.

Legal Framework and Conditions

Legal frameworks play a crucial role in Corporate Health Management (CHM). Companies are legally required to protect their employees' health and provide safe working conditions. Laws such as the Occupational Safety Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and accident prevention regulations are key legal foundations companies must comply with.

In Austria, the legal foundations for CHM are governed by the Austrian Employee Protection Act (ASchG). These regulations specify the measures companies must take to promote and maintain the health of their employees. For instance, § 3 ASchG states that companies are obliged to:

• Ensure employee health protection concerning all aspects of work
• Ensure employee safety protection concerning all aspects of work
• Provide a suitable organization regarding safety and health
• Keep employees informed about the latest techniques and methods in safety and health

Additionally, Austria rolled out the “Health in the Workplace” action plan in 2019. This strategy, developed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, social insurance institutions, health funds, and social partners, aims to achieve the national health goal of health-promoting living and working conditions for all. This plan focuses on measures in the areas of occupational safety, CHM, and corporate reintegration management.

2. Implementation of Corporate Health Management

CHM includes numerous measures in various areas, from mental health to preventive check-ups. The term for all health-promoting measures targeting individuals is Workplace Health Promotion (WHP).

Before specific measures can be identified, further steps are necessary as part of a strategically planned introduction of CHM. A crucial initial step is raising awareness among specialists and managers about CHM. Only when all parties understand health as part of the corporate culture and actively support it can sustainable success be achieved.

Next, an analysis and assessment of working conditions and the health status of employees should be conducted. Based on the company's context and the analysis results, introducing targeted measures is essential for addressing specific challenges within the organization and optimizing employee health.

In the following points, you'll find more detailed information on the steps involved in implementing CHM.

Analysis and Assessment of Health Status in the Company

A comprehensive analysis and assessment of the company's health situation are crucial for identifying potential risks early on and taking preventive measures. This includes the general health status of employees, workplace stress, working conditions, and absenteeism management.

Evaluating the health situation is based on defined criteria and metrics. This holistic assessment allows for targeted health promotion measures.

Developing and Implementing Health Goals and Measures

Defining clear health goals and measures tailored to the company's specific needs is crucial. This can involve reducing absenteeism, increasing employee satisfaction, or promoting a healthy lifestyle. To ensure the effectiveness of these goals, they should be regularly evaluated and adjusted.

Difference Between Corporate Health Management (CHM) and Workplace Health Promotion (WHP)

CHM involves the strategic planning and implementation of health-related measures across the company, while WHP focuses on specific programs and activities for improving employee health. CHM is a broader approach, while WHP encompasses concrete actions within that framework.

3. Measures in Corporate Health Management

Corporate Health Management (CHM) encompasses all measures aimed at promoting the health and well-being of employees within a company. It is a holistic approach that considers physical, mental, and social aspects. Corporate health management (CHM) can be divided into the following areas:

• Mental health in the workplace
• Physical fitness at work
• Organizational and leadership development
• Diagnostics and preventive health check-ups

Each of these areas can include various individual measures, each of which also has a specific overarching goal. These measures can be categorized into two types:

• Preventive measures
• Reactive measures

A central component of corporate health management is preventive measures, which aim to prevent illnesses and health problems among employees. These include regular health checks, vaccinations, workplace ergonomics, healthy nutrition, fitness programs, and stress management. Another important area of corporate health management is reactive measures within corporate health promotion. Here, the goal is to support employees in actively improving their health, enhancing both individual health and the overall workforce's well-being. This can be achieved through courses on nutrition, exercise, relaxation, smoking cessation, or addiction prevention.

Furthermore, creating a healthy work environment is crucial in corporate health management. This includes good work organization, clear workflows, respectful interaction, promoting work-life balance, and avoiding overload situations. The following is a closer look at the various categories of measures:

Mental Health at the Workplace within Corporate Health Management

In today's fast-paced world, characterized by globalization, flexibility, and digitalization, employees face increasing pressures and are required to adapt more. This affects not only physical health but also mental health, resulting in more sick days and a rise in psychological stress factors, which can lead to burnout. The effects of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental challenges in the workplace are varied and can manifest as reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, team conflicts, and a general loss of job satisfaction.

Thus, promoting mental health at work has become a key aspect of corporate health management. However, this requires a continuous process of engagement and support from company leadership, as a mentally healthy workforce is the foundation of a healthy work environment and is essential to employee well-being. Various actions can be taken to foster the mental and psychological health of employees:

• Creating a supportive company culture
• Training and awareness
• Offering support programs
• Promoting flexibility and work-life balance

Physical Fitness at the Workplace

Companies can contribute to maintaining and improving employees' health and performance over the long term through targeted programs and measures. Employee fitness programs are a core component of corporate health management. Depending on the specific job roles, from office work to manual labor, various measures can be implemented, such as health days, fitness courses, and healthy food offerings. At the heart of all these measures is the promotion of employees' physical fitness. Common practices include:

• Ergonomic workplaces
• Movement breaks and workplace activities
• Healthy eating at work
• Corporate health coaching
• Promotion of sports and exercise

Organizational and Leadership Development

At the center of corporate health management is the individual employee. Supporting their personal development, offering further education, and guiding them through challenging situations, such as conflict resolution, are part of organizational and leadership development within CHM. The goal is to further develop the organization as a whole by promoting employee development. Available measures include:

• Training and awareness
• Promoting a health-conscious leadership culture
• Strengthening resilience
• Coaching and professional guidance
• Conflict and crisis management

Preventive Health Check-Ups at Work

Preventive health check-ups are a key component of comprehensive corporate health management. Companies actively committed to their employees' health recognize the value of these check-ups in identifying potential health risks early and taking preventive measures. Integrating preventive health check-ups into CHM brings many benefits. It allows companies to proactively promote employee health and detect illnesses early. Companies that offer health check-ups send a strong message to employees, demonstrating that their well-being is a priority, which can increase employee loyalty and engagement.

4. Evaluation and Success Monitoring in Corporate Health Management

Evaluation and success monitoring are essential to assess the effectiveness of health measures and make adjustments if needed. Various methods can be used to evaluate the success of corporate health management, including employee surveys, health checks, analysis of sick days, accident statistics, and monitoring the overall health of the workforce. Continuous success monitoring ensures long-term improvements in employees' health.

Key indicators and metrics used to measure success include:

• Employee satisfaction
• Absenteeism rate
• Sickness rate
• Turnover rate
• Productivity

Conclusion

Corporate Health Management is an important investment in a company’s future. By implementing targeted measures to promote health and well-being, companies create a positive working environment that boosts motivation and productivity. These strategies pay off in the long run—for both employees and the company itself.