Topics

The "Business Case": Why Companies Should Invest in Workplace Health Promotion
A large number of studies have been carried out showing workplace health promotion (WHP) not as a "subsidised charity" but as a worthwhile investment for companies:
WHP results in a reduction in illness-related absenteeism, fewer working days lost and therefore in a long-term decline in the sickness rate.

Promoting Health: Responding to the Challenges in the New World of Work
The world of work is undergoing profound changes which are having a substantial impact on companies and the health of their employees. Greater competition requires faster action along with a higher quality of product and it is increasing the pressures on time and on employee efficiency.

Workplace Health Promotion: A Holistic Management Task
Attitudes to health have changed fundamentally in recent years. The new understanding encompasses both physical and mental well-being, the quality of life and learning. Health is no longer a result but rather a process in which people, with their potential and ability to develop, are viewed as an entity and are no longer merely regarded as someone to be protected against illnesses and accidents.

Healthy Lifestyle - Healthy Living and Working
Lifestyle-related behaviours such as diet, physical activity, tobacco use and stress exert a strong influence on health. European as well as American and Canadian studies report overweight and obesity, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes as the major health risks and diseases mainly due to an "unhealthy" lifestyle. The workplace is an ideal location to promote healthy lifestyles.

Tackling Stress at Work
Employees, enterprises, and the national economies, all benefit from a reduction in mental disorders.
The significance of psycho-social illnesses, which has long been underestimated, is no longer being denied. Work-related stress is one of the biggest occupational health problems in the European Union, exceeded only by diseases of the muscular and skeletal systems. Approximately 50% of absenteeism is a result of mental disorders. A manual that was compiled by the Commission in 1999 concludes that about half of the 150 million employees in Europe feel that they are under considerable pressure work.

Ageing Workforce - Growing Grey Productively
Demographic developments are posing new challenges for enterprises and the social security systems in Europe. Over the next few decades there will be a marked increase in the proportion of elderly people in employment and the proportion of younger employees will decrease significantly. Whereas nowadays employees over 45 years of age are often perceived as being only fit for the scrap heap, they will soon represent the major part of the workforce.

Work-Life-Balance: a Balanced Life - Working Healthily and More Successfully
The issues concerning the balance of family life, private life and work are gaining increased attention in political and business spheres in Europe. This is evident from the flood of publications and events and from the huge demand for professional advice on business concepts and for individual coaching. Providing employees with the option of balancing their working and private life has become an important managerial exercise.

Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly important for the competitiveness and sustainable success in every branch and every size of European enterprises. They are becoming increasingly aware that above average social and environmentally friendly business practices result in direct economic value and play an active role in shaping social, economic and ecological change.