Health benefits are becoming increasingly popular among employees. However, only a third of companies offer them
Health care as part of a contract, regular health check-ups or prevention of certain diseases. Employees would like to have such health benefits in the portfolio of benefits offered by their employer. And they would even be willing to change their lifestyle in case of better remuneration. However, only a third of companies offer health care programs to their employees. This was shown in last year’s survey by the Ministry of Interior’s Health Insurance Company, which focused on health benefits in companies.
“Health care is already part of the corporate culture of many companies and our health insurance company already cooperates with many small or large companies on the Health to Companies programme. Prevention not only saves time, but it has been proven to reduce the company’s operating costs and benefit the health of employees,” says David Kostka, CEO of the Ministry of Interior Health Insurance Company.
The survey of the Interior Ministry of the Czech Republic shows that 36% of Czech employers are regularly interested in the health of their employees, while another 21% are more likely to be interested on an irregular basis. Almost a third (31%) do not deal with the health of their employees at all.
Only one third of employees are informed by their employer about the health risks arising from their work, mostly by employees in blue-collar occupations. The most frequent complaints are mental strain or stress, back and spinal pain, and the threat of accidents or injuries.
Companies that have included health benefits in their portfolio offer their employees health care programmes such as regular health check-ups, nutritional supplements or comprehensive care.
T-Mobile has offered health benefits for a number of years. They tailor the bonus offer according to the wishes of their employees. After the coronavirus pandemic, interest in this type of benefits is said to have increased significantly.
“We try to adapt to what our employees ask for and we continue to focus on preventive programmes as employers. We offer both across-the-board and targeted benefits. We target certain groups of employees differently. We offer specific health checks and vaccinations. These include employees who strain their eyes or hearing. Our goal is to minimize health risks,” says Lukáš Ondřej, T-Mobile’s Employee Experience and Talent Management Manager.
The ZP MV ČR survey also shows that up to four-fifths of employees would be interested in food supplements and regular health check-ups. Others would be interested in disease prevention programmes and psychological services. Most respondents would be willing to follow a doctor’s recommendation over the phone or online. The ability to consult a health specialist without having to visit their GP would be appreciated by 82% of employees.
29% of employees would be willing to change their lifestyle or even give up smoking if it meant improving their financial situation at work. A further 27% would consider it.
Health days are a popular active component of the Health in Companies programme offered by the Health Insurance Fund of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic. As part of its care planning strategy, it recommends introducing monothematic days, dedicated to one segment of health care at a time. Employees then take away information and also greater motivation to change. These include laboratory blood tests, body composition analysis, vision and skin mole examinations, foot and musculoskeletal diagnostics and more.
Also Zdeňka Andreattová, Reward consultant from Albert Czech Republic, confirms that the biggest interest among employees is in Health Days, apart from vitamins. This year, the preventive day was held at 110 stores, 3 distribution centres and the headquarters. There, 280 employees participated in the preventive day and were cared for by a record 40 therapists, lecturers and doctors, the most in the history of the Health Days.
“For capacity and operational reasons, we are unable to implement the entire portfolio of services in the stores, so we selected workplace ergonomics, body composition measurements, spirometry and emergency seated massage based on previous experience and needs. At the headquarters and distribution centres we have significantly more possibilities and we are very happy to cooperate with the health insurance company,” adds Zdeňka Andreattová from Albert ČR.
“Health to Companies is a programme of modern, open and trustworthy communication with employers, in which we focus on a comprehensive approach to the needs of employers and on new trends in employee care,” adds Denisa Kalousková, Director of the Business and Organisation Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.
The Ministry of the Interior Health Insurance Fund offers various forms of cooperation. These include strategic consultations, a programme to support professions, health days and health education programmes.
Source: Ministry of Interior’s Health Insurance Company and CTK
