Health prevention and stress management for VDU work: effective measures for your company

In our company, too, many employees spend a large proportion of their time in front of a screen. This intensive screen work can lead to various health problems that affect both physical and mental health. For us as a software company, it is therefore essential to take preventative measures to promote the health of our workforce and reduce stress in the workplace. 

While conventional health measures such as ergonomic workstations, sports programs or stress management workshops already make important contributions to employee health, there is another valuable form of support: Our modern time recording and business trip expense accounting in the personnel cloud

Possible complaints due to VDU work

Prolonged periods of screen work can cause a number of health problems:

• Eye strainSymptoms such as dry eyes, blurred vision or headaches are common.
• Musculoskeletal complaintsTension in the neck, shoulder and back area is widespread.
• Mental stress: Constant concentration and monotonous tasks can lead to mental fatigue and stress.
• Lack of exerciseProlonged sitting increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, back problems and metabolic disorders.
• Lack of nutritional balanceHectic working life and unhealthy snacks can lead to deficiency symptoms and a lack of energy.

Cost-effective health prevention measures

There are numerous effective and inexpensive strategies to counteract these complaints:

Ergonomic workplace design

• Adjusting the chair, table and monitor correctlyCorrect adjustment of the office chair, desk and monitor is crucial. The chair should be adjusted so that the upper and lower legs form a right angle. The desk height should allow the forearms to be parallel to the desk surface.
• Customize screen settingsThe brightness and contrast of the screen should be set so that they are comfortable for the eyes. Excessive brightness can strain the eyes.

Regular breaks and exercise

• Take exercise breaksIt is recommended to take a 10-minute break every 50 minutes or to interrupt work with activities that do not require screen use. This helps to relieve eye strain and promotes blood circulation.
• Active break organizationShort stretching exercises or a walk can relieve tension and refresh the mind.
• Create incentives for exercise in the companyCompanies can motivate employees to exercise through fitness challenges, in-house sports programs or subsidies for fitness studios. Free health services, such as those offered by AUVA, should also be actively used and made available to employees.

Healthy nutrition in the workplace

• Provide healthy snacksCompanies can provide fresh fruit, nuts or healthy snacks to support healthy eating.
• Set up a water dispenserAdequate fluid intake helps to increase concentration and performance.
• Consciously organize lunch breaksA fixed lunch break, in which healthy meals are preferred, helps to avoid a drop in performance.
• Offer meal subsidies in the form of tax-free vouchersThis measure can promote healthy eating without incurring high costs for the company.

Mental health and resilience

In addition to physical health, mental resilience plays a decisive role. Companies can take the following measures:

• Business mental training and resilience workshopsStress management training, mindfulness training and relaxation techniques help employees to cope better with challenges.
• Open communication cultureA working environment in which concerns and problems can be discussed openly contributes to mental health.
• Supporting work-life balanceFlexible working hours, home office options and limiting overtime help to reduce stress.

How do managers recognize that employees need support?

Managers play a decisive role in promoting health in the company. Important signs of a need for support are

• Frequent absences or sudden drops in performance
• Persistent exhaustion, irritability or social withdrawal
• Physical complaints such as headaches or back pain
• Difficulties with concentration and decision-making

Regular appraisal interviews, an open feedback culture and targeted offers of support enable managers to intervene and help at an early stage.

Healthy leadership and a positive corporate culture

Managers have a decisive influence on the health and motivation of their teams:

• Acting as a role modelHealthy leadership begins with managers taking care of their own health and passing this on to their team.
• Valuing and supporting employeesRegular feedback, recognition and an open ear for the needs of employees are essential.
• Create clear structures and expectationsClear allocation of tasks and realistic goals help to avoid excessive demands and stress.

Modern HR software can help companies to effectively implement health prevention and stress management:

• Time recording, vacation management and break managementBy using electronic time recording systems, break times can be monitored and analyzed. This ensures that employees take regular breaks, which helps to reduce fatigue and stress.
• Travel expense accounting and stress reduction: An efficient travel expense tool facilitates the planning and accounting of business trips. This reduces the administrative workload and minimizes potential stress factors for employees.
• Automation of administrative tasks: Administrative tasks such as creating a working time record, managing leave requests or calculating overtime and teleworking days can be automated by the software. This saves time for HR managers and prevents errors that could cause additional stress.

Conclusion

The health of employees is a valuable asset that must be protected. A combination of ergonomic workstations, exercise, healthy eating, promoting resilience and a positive corporate culture creates a healthy working environment in the long term.

Try our Personalwolke software now for 30 days free of charge and discover how you can efficiently integrate health prevention in your company!