Leonding received a seal of approval for workplace health promotion.
LEONDING. Initiated two years ago, the city has now been awarded the seal of approval for workplace health promotion (BGF) by the Austrian health insurance fund for this sustainable project.
Under the project management of Christine Hiebl and the deputy project manager Alexander Selos, the BGF project “GUSTL – Healthy Company – Strong Team – Alive for Leonding” was launched in January 2020, initiated by Mayor Sabine Naderer-Jelinek and City Office Director Uwe Deutschbauer.
Preventing illnesses in the workplace and further improving the working conditions of the approximately 500 employees at the city office were the stated goals. The focus is not only on physical but also on mental health. The health project was accompanied by the Austrian Health Insurance Fund and consultant Evelyn Viehböck.
project continues
However, the city of Leonding’s health project did not end with the award of the seal of quality last Monday. Workplace health promotion was established in the administration of the city of Leonding and Christine Hiebl was appointed health officer. She is still the first point of contact for health issues and lets GUSTL live on: “We have anchored the WHP project GUSTL in our organization and continue to live it with our employees. Motivated, moved and satisfied, we work together for the municipality of Leonding,” says Hiebl.
Also KUVA excellent
Not only the city itself would be certified, but also the Leondinger Veranstaltungsservice und Kultur GmbH (KUVA). Occupational health promotion also plays an important role at the agency for location and economy Leonding GmbH. The agency also oversees a supra-regional BGF project of the ÖGK, in which the city’s businesses are also involved.
“By involving the employees, we want to bring about lasting change and strengthen them in their health skills. Workplace health promotion has become an important part of our culture. Only healthy employees enjoy their job and can do excellent work for the people in Leonding,” emphasize Naderer-Jelinek and Deutschbauer.
Action plan created
The involvement and voluntary nature of the employees played an important role from the start of the project. The project team consisted of people from all departments and companies of the city administration in order to obtain as much information as possible about what is important to the employees and how they perceive their working environment. Safety specialists, occupational physicians and managers acted as the steering group.
After workplace analyses, discussions, several health circles, workshops and two employee surveys, a comprehensive catalog of measures to improve physical and mental health was developed. Budget funds first had to be released for larger measures, but other measures could be implemented immediately.
• Establishment of internal communication in the city administration. The area of activity includes, among other things, the publication of an employee newspaper, which also regularly provides information about the status quo of the health project.
• Regular newsletter on health issues
• More ergonomic design of workplaces (e.g. improved lighting conditions or more ergonomic chairs)
• First aid courses for employees
• German courses for employees who are not native speakers of German
• Increased involvement of affected employees in the purchase of work equipment
• Acquisition of safety goggles for the city service and sun protection for employees who work outdoors
• Development of a non-smoker protection program
• Elaboration of a company integration management
• Comprehensive free seminar program: from burnout prevention to resilience training, conflict resolution to time management or healthy nutrition.
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