Practical example | Health promotion in the workplace (office & home office)

Employee health has long been more than just a "nice to have" - it is a key success factor for companies. But how can health promotion and well-being be sustainably anchored in the corporate culture in order to ensure health in the workplace? Well-intentioned health promotion initiatives often fail due to a lack of sustainability, without achieving measurable improvements in employee health or corporate goals. The collaboration between the chemical company SABIC, the health insurance company Zilveren Kruis and the health tech start-up Deep Care shows how things can be done differently. Together, they have developed an innovative concept for workplace health promotion that not only promotes and measurably improves the health of employees directly in the workplace, but also brings economic benefits for the company.

The initial situation: health promotion at SABIC

Henri Hendrickx has been working as an ergonomist and occupational physician for SABIC Netherlands for over 35 years. As company doctor, he is responsible for occupational health and safety together with an interdisciplinary team of physiotherapists, nurses and support staff. At SABCI, this also includes organising workplace health promotion. Together with Zilveren Kruis, a Dutch health insurance company, SABIC has been focussing on a wide range of measures to promote health and well-being for years.

"In many ways, we're doing pretty well here. We have a first aid department with antibacterial walls, state-of-the-art hospital equipment, a changing room and a physiotherapy treatment room. We offer primary medical care, have our own pharmacy and our own vaccination programme. However, as an occupational health and safety service, our main aim is to prevent injuries and discomfort. That's why we are always on the lookout for good prevention initiatives."

Dr Henri Hendrickx - Senior Manager Medical Care, SABCI

The challenge: promoting health in the workplace

For office workers, the greatest strain on health comes from sitting all day. The lack of movement and the one-sided strain on the musculoskeletal system caused by desk work lead to a number of complaints. These are caused, among other things, by a drop in metabolic activity, undersupply of cells, lack of oxygen in the brain and simultaneous overloading and underloading of bone, muscle and joint structures. The consequences range from concentration difficulties and tension to chronic illnesses and are statistically known to more than 70% of all employees from their own experience. [You can find out more about exercise in the workplace here].

The example of Sabic shows how difficult it can be to implement effective measures to promote health in the workplace of office workers. Despite ergonomic training and modern work equipment such as height-adjustable desks, many employees remained in poor sitting postures or moved too little. This behaviour led to widespread complaints in the shoulders, neck and wrists - typical symptoms of "permanent sitting".

The solution approach: Utilising technological innovations

To meet these challenges, SABIC has opted for an innovative BGF solution. Henri Hendrickx became aware of Deep Care through an internet search. Their AI-supported health coach Isa uses sensors to recognise health risks such as poor posture or lack of movement directly at the workplace and gives employees feedback in real time. The aim is not only to encourage short-term corrections, but also to promote healthy behavioural routines in the long term. To this end, the AI assistant Isa accompanies employees at their desks with low-threshold health impulses over a period of several weeks and identifies specific areas where action is needed. The tips range from behaviours such as standing desk use, posture and drinking habits to suggestions for the optimal design of the working environment, such as the ergonomic alignment of work equipment.

The pilot phase: trialling the prevention concept

Following an initial familiarisation meeting, SABIC decided to go straight into a four-week test phase. It was already clear how effective the technology is: even company doctor Hendrickx recognised through the real-time feedback that his desk was incorrectly adjusted. Isa had used its sensors and intelligent AI algorithms to recognise that his shoulders were permanently raised due to the desk being too high. This practical example convinced many of his colleagues to try Isa out as well. Word of the positive experience quickly spread, with around 75 % of SABIC's office staff using the AI assistance - with lasting success. There were no costs or effort involved for the employees. They were able to have the smart health assistant delivered directly to their desk via a booking portal provided by Deep Care and then use it for six to twelve weeks. At the end of use, the participating employees were sent a return slip and a digital questionnaire to anonymously evaluate the service.

The results

Health promotion in the workplace has been sustainably improved

Almost all participants completed the questionnaire in full and evaluated the company's new health programme extensively in terms of personal benefits. The results were impressive:

• 93% of employees integrated movement exercises into their daily routine.
• 75% developed a better awareness of their posture.
• Height-adjustable desks, which were previously rarely used, were used regularly by more than half of the employees.
• 90% reported that the behaviour encouraged by Isa has become a permanent habit.
• 77% Recommendation rate

The points mentioned above are just a few of the many positive effects on health behaviour. In addition to the effects on the health behaviour of employees, many other aspects such as frequency of use, low threshold etc. were also surveyed and also rated as very positive.

Effects at company level

In addition to improving employee health, the measures also led to a measurable reduction in absenteeism and greater job satisfaction.

"Our physiotherapist practically no longer treats physical complaints. This means they now have much more time to support people with preventative treatments, help with exercises and provide information about healthy exercise habits."

Dr Henri Hendrickx - Senior Manager Medical Care, SABCI

Although SABIC is already seen as an attractive employer by its employees and therefore has a low staff turnover rate, the BGF programme also strengthened the company's image as an employer.

[You can find out more about absenteeism here]

Cooperation with health insurance companies as a success factor

The collaboration with the insurance company Zilveren Kruis played a key role in the success of the project. Zilveren Kruis has been supporting SABIC for decades in the implementation of preventive health measures. By providing data such as benchmarks or consulting services or, as in this case, financing innovative solutions such as Isa, SABIC can not only promote the health of its employees, but also reduce healthcare costs in the long term.

Tom Splitthoff, Healthy Enterprise Advisor at Zilveren Kruis, emphasised the importance of such projects:

"The launch of Isa has shown how innovations like Deep Care's can lead to real improvements in collaboration with engaged employers. We hope this story will inspire other organisations to consider similar initiatives."

A practical example with a signalling effect

The exemplary OHM concept at SABIC shows on the one hand how important it is to align health measures with the needs of employees and to be open to new prevention concepts and ideas in occupational health management. On the other hand, the experience report also shows that employee health can be used as a strategic tool for a resilient and healthy company if the employer makes it credible that it is concerned about the well-being of its employees. Dr Hendrickx recommends that companies with a large number of office workers should actively invest in the health of their employees, especially in view of the shortage of skilled workers.

• It applies, Appreciative offers that take into account the individual needs of employees.
• At the same time Measures regularly reviewed and adapted to new trends or legal requirements.
• A Strong partner like Zilveren Kruis can help provide resources and implement innovative concepts.

The collaboration between SABIC, Zilveren Kruis and Deep Care shows that prevention measures with a clear focus on innovative technologies and long-term behavioural changes can achieve sustainable success. The use of Isa not only improved the health of employees, but also created tangible added value for the company.

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