Together with five employers, the Saarpfalz district was honoured at the State Office for Social Affairs for its company integration management (BEM). This award is given to companies and organisations that are particularly committed to the health of their employees, prevention and the long-term preservation of jobs and thus exceed the legal requirements.
In addition to occupational health and safety and workplace health promotion, BEM is part of holistic workplace health management, in which the individual support needs of the employee(s) entitled to BEM are worked out. BEM has been enshrined in law since 2004 and is aimed at employees who have been unable to work for more than six weeks within a 12-month period. Employees are supported in gradually getting back to work. The Saarpfalz district has a steering committee that includes employees from the company health management team, the staff council and a member appointed by the representative body for severely disabled employees. The award recognises the joint commitment of the entire workforce.
The certificate is accompanied by a bonus of 10,000 euros.
"We are working together to find solutions that make it easier to return to work. We are investing the bonus money in the health of all district employees," say Katharina Schett and Anna-Lena Buchheit from the BGM.
"For us, occupational health management means more than just complying with legal requirements. It's about supporting employees in their difficult life situations and securing jobs. In times of demographic change and a shortage of skilled labour, this is also important from an employer's perspective," explains District Administrator Frank John, who takes part in the steering group meetings whenever he can.