The health of employees is a key element of an attractive and sustainable corporate culture. This workshop focused on the importance of physical and mental health in the workplace. The question of what can contribute to a healthy working environment to increase employee satisfaction and loyalty was explored.
Mental health in the workplace is now more important than ever: around 50 million people in the EU suffer from mental illnesses such as depression and exhaustion, which leads to around 15 % of all days of absence in Germany - with an average duration of illness of 36 days ( see Federal Ministry of Health: 2024 ). Particularly alarming is the increase in the risk of burnout , which now affects 61% of the workforce ( see Pronova BKK: 2024 ). As mental stress is often a taboo subject, many of those affected are denied the support they need. In view of these facts, it is clear that the promotion of mental health must be a central component of sustainable operational management, and thus for an attractive employer, in order to ensure the well-being of employees and economic stability in the long term.
After the break, there was an interview with Sabine Manthei, Head of the Company Health Service team at the Hannover Region, in which she spoke openly about her own illness. This served as an example of how an open approach to illness by managers can contribute to a positive and empowering corporate culture.
