Health management in small and medium-sized enterprises: results of a representative survey

Objective: The prevalence of workplace health promotion in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Germany as well as age management were investigated.

Methods: Representative data were collected by computer assisted telephone interviews in 1 441 SME (1-250 employees) in 7 regions of Germany.

Results: One-third of the SME have a system of health promotion. Disability management is known only in one third of the enterprises, another third of them knew the legal obligations. About half of the enterprises have a system to collect data about health-related absenteeism in business. Effects caused by the demographic change in Germany are feared by nearly 50% of the enterprises, but only 20% have taken action against it. The implementation of work health promotion is higher in enterprises with more employees.

Conclusions: The study shows that workplace health promotion (WHP) in German small and medium-sized enterprises is not yet installed to a wide extent. The smaller the enterprises the less WHP is found. The results are verified by similar studies. Small and medium-sized enterprises have a need for consultation in cases of illness or health prevention. But there is not yet an organised structure available for getting advice. The study is the basis for a national project "Gesunde Arbeit", which will establish these consulting structures.