Demographic changes are altering age structures in workforces, posing new challenges to physical and mental health. SMEs particularly require support, transparent information, and networking opportunities regarding health management.
The demographic change is altering age structures in workforces. A changed working and living environment impacts employees’ physical and mental health. Extended working life poses higher demands on the working environment. Strategically anchored Workplace Health Management (WHM) offers an approach to address these challenges. Tailored Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) can reduce sick leave days and increase skilled workers' tenure within companies. In certain industries, the use of digital technologies and products may serve as preventive health protection, enabling physically demanding tasks to be performed at older ages. SMEs particularly require practical support, comprehensible information and action guidelines, networking opportunities to exchange experiences, as well as transparency and clarity regarding appropriate contacts, for instance, when cooperating with health insurance funds or external providers, exploring funding opportunities or qualifications. Regional players like Workplace Health Promotion coordination offices of health insurance funds or other associations are still not sufficiently well-known. Further national and European regulations in workplace health would be considered inefficient by businesses, adding undue burden particularly on SMEs.