“More than just a healthy snack break with back stretching exercises“
Klingenburg and employees develop innovative health management
When it comes to keeping healthy, the energy recovery expert, Klingenburg GmbH in Gladbeck, puts its faith in its employees’ support. With the formation of a so-called Health Circle – all members are volunteers – the manufacturer of heat exchangers for ventilation systems in Brauck is resolutely implementing its new principles. Employees’ health is just as important here as the company’s duty of care or sustainability.
“Employees health has highest priority in the company“, explains the CEO, who took over management of the company from joint owner Kai Klingenburg a year and a half ago. For its several hundred strong, worldwide workforce, the company pursues a comprehensive concept, which demands the intensive participation of all colleagues. ”We want more than just a healthy snack break with back stretching exercises“, says the CEO.
Firstly, within the framework of a so-called psychological risk assessment, the employees were consulted in detail about their own health situation in the workplace. Involved were not only the Works Council, Health and Safety and Human Resources, but also out-of-house specialist consultants.
After evaluation of the survey, the Health Circle set to work. The Health Circle is made up from representatives from very different departments. The members, both male and female employees, number fifteen in total. Working together with the management team, concrete measures for an improved level of health have been decided. One specific project is the Health Letter. The Health Letter is the medium through which employees are kept informed and made aware of current events, improvements and first milestones reached in the health project. Several activities have also taken place on the topic of “lifting and carrying“. Colleagues were consulted directly by a special Health Circle task force. This has led to the project reaching some of its first targets, such as the purchasing of new “pallet carts” and modifications to lifting trolleys.
“We put our faith entirely in our employees’ personal initiative.“ emphasizes the CEO. “They are the ones on site and they know best where the problems lie. I am particularly delighted by the great level of motivation shown by all involved. I am convinced that we will make incredible and tangible improvements in health protection. With this important project we are further carrying on the consequent implementation of our values ‘Care’, ’Mutual Support’ and ‘Sustainability’”
