OHM pays off! Managers Pia Grocholl (l.) and Michèle Penz (r.) from pme Familienservice.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH: “SICK EMPLOYEES CAN BE EXPENSIVE FOR COMPANIES”
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Issue 99 |
November 2022
“OHM for us,” says Penz, “means bringing the health topic into offices and, in the best case, into private spheres as well. We want to sustainably interest professionals in health issues, make this topic attractive and easily accessible. Thereby, in part, making up for what our health system unfortunately often doesn’t suggest: namely that you have to become active yourself and do something for your health. Here, we always remain focused on the interplay of body, psyche and soul.” For both of them, there is no question that a workplace’s social context also plays a major role in the employees’ health. “The corporate
As different the people, as different the companies. Penz and Grocholl are well aware of the sometimes significant differences. “Regardless of the sector, OHM is as rewarding as sick employees can be costly for companies,” emphasis Grocholl. “Our OHM programmes are individually tailored to the respective company and employees. We first take a look at the workforce and analyse the target group. Stress factors and needs are assessed. Based on the results, we develop customised measures in close cooperation with the management.” www.familienservice.de
PHOTOS: ISTOCK
The company is the largest provider of employee support services in Germany, ranging from child care, crisis and nursing counselling, to executive coaching and occupational health management (OHM), a section managed by Pia Grocholl and Michèle Penz. Under the label ‘pme health’ Penz, Grocholl and their team offer professional advice for companies that want to introduce, expand or improve their own OHM. They also offer low-threshold health
promotion measures such as exercise offers, blended learning formats or fun team events.
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Body, psyche and soul are like a good team. They form a unit. If this unit is dysfunctional, this affects other areas. “Back pain, for example, can have physical causes, but can also have psychological causes that affect the back,” explain Michèle Penz and Pia Grocholl from pme Familienservice.
culture has a strong influence on the employees’ health. After all, they spend a large part of their time working. This is why companies cannot simply ignore the health topic and make it a private matter, but must ask themselves which frame conditions keep team members healthy in the long run,” Grocholl continues.
TEXT: SILKE HENKELE
When feelings of overburdening, permanent stress or undefined bodily ailments determine an employee’s working life, this can have various causes. This is why it is also worthwhile for companies to address these issues.