BGM for SMEs made easy

Many SMEs have already recognized the consistent commitment to employee health as a success factor. Nevertheless, the benefits of successful health management, such as increased employer attractiveness, improved team performance and reduced absenteeism, are still little used. High complexity as well as the time and personnel requirements associated with implementation have so far deterred more than motivated, because both time and personnel resources are usually scarce in SMEs.

Simple - fast - effective

Consequently, fast, practical solutions are in demand. "Do it yourself" is the motto in SMEs wherever possible. The main players in this context are the executives and HR managers. With these requirements in mind, the Swiss Health Promotion Foundation developed its new free SME offerings with "Leadership Kit" for executives and "HR Toolbox" for HR managers. Both are the result of an iterative process over several years, consisting of practical dialogues with over 100 SME representatives. The "Leadership Kit" also underwent an intensive test phase in six pilot companies from the IT, tourism, mobility, kitchen construction and architecture sectors in order to achieve the best possible effectiveness.

Enabler for team and company

The "Leadership Kit" offers managers tools developed on a scientific basis that are easy to integrate into everyday management and can be used directly without prior knowledge of occupational health management or external support. The focus is on having a positive effect on the well-being and satisfaction of employees and on the team climate. On the other hand, the "Leadership Kit" supports managers in their strengths and in identifying relevant fields of action (see info box), including related measures. Says Gerson Schärli, project manager for the development of the Leadership Kit at Health Promotion Switzerland: "This offer makes it easier for managers to empower their team and create an attractive, health-promoting working environment.

Solutions suitable for everyday use

The tasks of HR managers in SMEs usually range from personnel administration to payroll processing to recruiting, leaving little time for HRM. The solutions offered by the "HR Toolbox" (see info box) are correspondingly concrete and action-oriented. They range from tools for modern working environments, such as the challenges of mobile and flexible working, to effective ways of counteracting stress triggers such as time pressure and vague task priorities. "We deliberately designed the 'HR Toolbox' so that HR managers can use it like a reference book on the acute topic at hand. This saves time and is exactly what HR managers need at this moment," says Martin Degen, project manager for the development of the "HR Toolbox" at Health Promotion Switzerland.

The five action areas of the leadership kit for managers

• Achieving goals enables a sense of achievement
• Meaning conveys meaningfulness
• Positive emotions promote the team climate
• Commitment puts strengths in the spotlight
• Team relationships support sustainable relationships

All tools and information here: friendlyworkspace.ch/leadership-kit

The topics of the HR Toolbox for HR managers

• Act - with concrete tools for e.g. home office, healthy leadership, conflicts and mobbing
• Understanding - compact knowledge for positively impacting areas such as absenteeism, stress, motivation, employer attractiveness.

All tools and information here: friendlyworkspace.ch/hr-toolbox

More information: friendlyworkspace.ch/en/bgm-services