Vitamins for the office are good. But to be considered a company that stands up for the health of employees, it takes more. © Small
2022 was a record year in terms of sick leave. This year's business award of the district of Starnberg therefore goes to companies that are particularly committed to the health of their employees - especially to the mental health of their employees.
County – "Without health, everything is nothing – How do modern employers get involved in the health of their employees?" The motto of the district's 2023 Business Prize, which will be awarded at the district office on November 23, is a reaction to the spirit of the times, to the increased sensitivity in dealing with human resources - but also to facts: society is aging, and older workers are more likely to be absent. And the AOK recently reported a drastic increase in sick leave in the district of Starnberg. In 2022, it was 72 percent more than in 2021. According to the health insurance company, average sick days also increased by 33.3 percent to 17.6. Respiratory diseases make up the main share, Corona plays a role in the statistics, but you can't blame everything on the pandemic. This is because mental and musculoskeletal disorders are also causing increasing absenteeism.
The business development agency gwt and the nine-member jury of the business award find this alarming. In the press release published on Thursday, gwt refers to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which obliges companies to pay attention to the physical and mental health of their employees. Annette von Nordeck, Head of Economic Development, said at the press conference: "A fruit basket and a height-adjustable desk are no longer enough." In other words, only companies that offer more and more innovative services, perhaps hire a mental coach or confidant, who point out that employees are too busy and also react flexibly to their private worries and family problems, have a chance of winning the business award. Of course, gym vouchers, yoga in the office and joint sports activities also look good in the application. And the jury will ask whether the chairs in the home office are also easy on the back. Another criterion: Are the activities meaningful? Is there appreciation in the company?
Study: Sales can be increased through health management
Von Nordeck and gwt Managing Director Christoph Winkelkötter referred to a study according to which 70 percent of employees still go to work even when they are no longer productive and need to relax. And on a study by the consultancy Roland Berger and the Asklepios clinics: Occupational health management could increase sales by up to eleven percent. Winkelkötter: "Only well-established employees can work well."
Up to 50, up to 250 employees and above: This year, the business prize will be awarded in three categories according to the size of the company – for reasons of fairness, so that even smaller companies with fewer opportunities can win. Around 3000 companies in the district will soon be contacted by gwt. Those who are nominated or nominated by June 21 will receive their application documents. Companies themselves, as well as citizens, institutions or municipal administrations, can nominate potential award winners – by e-mail to witschaftspreis@starnbergammersee. After that, gwt expects about 50 to 60 applications, from which the jury will then select ten to 15 finalists and pay them personal visits in September. It then determines the three winners.
In addition to Winkelkötter and von Nordeck from gwt, the jury includes: Katja Lindo-Roever, Chairwoman of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Regional Committee, Thomas Vogl, Chairman of the Board of Directors of VR-Bank Starnberg-Herrsching-Landsberg, Mayor Spokesman Rainer Schnitzler from Pöcking, Karin Münster, Branch Manager of the Employment Agency in Starnberg, Michael Padberg, Chairman of the Entrepreneurs' Association Economic Development District of Starnberg, Jan Vogel, Managing Director of the Association of German Self-Employed Bavarians, and Normen Nöth, head of the Tutzing P3 Clinic for Mental Illness. In contrast to previous years, this year, as reported, it is impossible for a jury member to represent a participating company.
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