More prevention for fewer sick days

The spas and health resorts of Baden-Württemberg and the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs are pursuing a common goal: to give employees from commercial enterprises the opportunity to train their personal health with the expertise of primary prevention measures in the spas and health resorts. Arne Mellert, Managing Director of Heilbäder und Kurorte Marketing GmbH and organizer of the theme day on occupational health management, puts it in a nutshell: “It's not just the usual colds, but the increasing incidence of back problems and psychosocial illnesses that have made us sit up and take notice.”

With Sven Hannawald, the organizers were able to attract an authentic keynote speaker. Hannawald was an exceptional athlete. The top athlete was the only ski jumper to have won all the jumps in the Four Hills Tournament in 2002, was Olympic champion, four times world champion and voted Sportsman of the Year. In 2004 he suffered a serious fall. Diagnosis: burn-out. This was followed by nine weeks in hospital, then a long period of outpatient treatment. Only after five years was Sven Hannawald able to claim that he had climbed over the mountain and had arrived in his new life.

He is also convinced that employers and employees need to be more aware of prevention measures. On November 7, 2024, he will be answering questions from presenter Klaus Peter Betz at the Stuttgart trade fair. Sven Hannawald will provide insights into his childhood and youth, the path he took to become a top athlete and the hurdles he had to overcome to become a balanced family man and active businessman today.

The BGM theme day is designed as a two-part event: In addition to the keynote speech, which will also be broadcast live by the trade fair company, a World Café with eight themed islands will take place afterwards. The Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce will provide practical tips on the realization and implementation of BGM measures at a themed island. Südwestmetall will explain the holistic approach of BGM measures at another. AOK Baden-Württemberg will address the topic of “Corporate culture and leadership as the key to occupational health”. Barmer will present concepts for “Strengthening individual stress management resources in the digital age”. And finally, various spas and health resorts will present their specific experiences and offers in the field of occupational health management on three islands.

“We want to encourage HR managers from small and medium-sized companies in particular to join this network of experience. Prevention measures are always particularly effective when they are carried out regularly and not in the immediate home environment,” says Arne Mellert. He also points out the quality certification of the offers presented in the World Cafés and emphasizes: “We're not talking about three-week prevention measures here, we're talking about extended weekends. However, a single weekend will not be enough.”

Info:

The BGM theme day on November 7, 2024 will take place at the Arbeitsschutz aktuell trade fair in Stuttgart from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participation in the event is free of charge.