Sustainably committed to healthy employees with BGM
PUBLIREPORTAGE Sustainable action has long been a central priority in companies. In this context, the health of employees is now playing an increasingly important role. After all, a healthy, fully operational workforce is an essential factor for long-term corporate success. Increasingly, companies are therefore promoting the health of their employees directly from the start of their careers with systematic occupational health management (OHM). Menu and More AG in Zurich, with a total of 58 employees, is one of these companies.
Siri Solenthaler, Business Development and Customer Care, Stefan Grgur, Chauffeur, Viktoria Krstic, Shift Manager Picking, Stefanie Schweizer, Head of Marketing, Communication and Events, Helene Teuscher, Head of Human Resources, Michael Kunze, Team Leader Production (missing from photo). (Image: Menu and More)
In 2018, the provider of catering for children and young people introduced its systematic occupational health management system and integrated it into its operational HR and management processes. Embedded in an appreciative, responsible management culture, the Zurich-based company promotes both value awareness and employees' personal responsibility for their own physical and mental health.
Set an example of BGM
One year later, in 2019, menuandmore was ready for certification with the label "Friendly Work Space" from Health Promotion Switzerland and has been the proud bearer of the BGM quality seal ever since. Managing Director Markus Daniel: "Sustainability is absolutely central to us. In addition to its ecological, economic and social facets, this also includes lasting health. Therefore, the introduction and certification of a systematic BGM was a next logical step for us, after all the certifications for quality and environmental management we had already obtained."
Whether physical or mental - every topic may be "on the table".
In the meantime, occupational health management has become a permanent fixture at the catering provider for children and adolescents. The associated measures are coordinated and designed by an interdisciplinary health management steering committee under the leadership of Human Resources Manager Helene Teuscher. Together, they are working on improvements to working conditions in physically demanding areas such as the kitchen and transport, for example.
At the same time, menuandmore contributes to the preservation of mental health with the continuous further development of its management culture. For example, existing psychological stress situations among employees are addressed individually.
The commercial apprentice also benefits from this personal support at her training place at menuandmore. Psychological stress among apprentices had already increased significantly before the pandemic, so raising awareness of health issues thanks to BGM is a clear advantage.
Meeting increased demands with confidence thanks to BGM
Sources: Job Stress Index Monitoring 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020
According to the Job Stress Index 2020 from Health Promotion Switzerland (see chart), 42% of young workers between 16 and 24 have too few resources to meet the demands of the workplace, 30% are emotionally exhausted and their risk of occupational accidents is twice as high. The economic consequence is health-related productivity losses in this age group of a good 21% 1) .
The need for specific support of learners' mental health is obvious. At the same time, this increases the demands on those responsible for vocational education and training, and specific support services are required. A good point of contact for this is, for example, industry associations, the Association of Vocational Trainers or the "Apprentice" by Health Promotion Switzerland for a health-promoting management of young employees.
The spectrum of "Apprentice" includes a "Toolbox" with case studies, sound information on difficult situations as well as on the mental health of learners in general. Further modules are ERFA Meeting for the intersectoral exchange of vocational educators, a "Experts App" as a quick, up-to-date source of information as well as specific Further education.
"Apprentice' is a convincing offer that provides well-founded solutions to various initial situations. Fortunately, we don't currently have any conflict situations, but 'Apprentice' provides me with a wealth of suggestions and tips on how we as vocational educators can support our learners, for example in developing self-reflection and responsibility. That's why I like using the tools and aids offered," sums up Simon Kindt, Head of Administration, Personnel Assistant and Vocational Trainer at Menu and More AG.
1) Source: Health Promotion Switzerland - Job Stress Index Monitoring 2018 according to Galliker et al. 2018b
Author: Dorit Schmidt-Purrmann, Communication expert and consultant for BGM
