Health at the workplace – Programmes and measures

The well-being of our staff is a matter of priority. Munich Re is therefore actively and firmly committed to promoting their health. For instance, as well as medical care, sport and relaxation programmes, we also offer personal measures to help staff return to working life after a prolonged absence.

A varied health-promotion and preventive programme is part and parcel of our corporate strategy. The scope of the programmes we offer is considerably greater than that required by law and includes an advice service, medical care, sports programmes and support measures to help staff reintegrate after long-term illness. Tailored to individual needs, these services ease the return to work after a lengthy absence. Munich Re takes great care not to jeopardise the employee’s complete recovery, especially after prolonged illness.

Active healthcare promotion

Munich Re also scrupulously and effectively complies with the occupational safety requirements imposed by law. We give staff information on ergonomically correct posture when sitting at a desk, tips on effective relaxation techniques and advice on further preventive measures. A number of Munich Re office sites have their own company medical officers who advise staff on recommended vaccinations, dealing with current health risks and company health-promotion programmes.

Munich Re promotes the physical and mental well-being of its staff both on and off the job. Employees can choose from a variety of options. Company gyms, swimming pools, sports and other facilities such as the recently opened back-care centre in Düsseldorf offer a wide range of options for keeping fit or simply relaxing. ERGO offers one of the most extensive company sports programmes in Germany under the name ERGO Sports. All the activities on offer, together with dates and contact details for the various sites, are available on a special portal. Activities range from familiar ball and running sports – football, volleyball, basketball, marathon, etc. – to more unusual pursuits such as dragon-boat rowing, beach volleyball and table football. In many of these disciplines, ERGO Sports regularly organises international tournaments and staff competitions.

“I have been attending ERGO's back classes for a year now, and the results are measurable. I have more strength, and I feel stronger, too. It's also a welcome change from my office job.”

Christiane Wöllner, ERGO

Professional social counselling

We attach great importance not only to the physical health but also to the emotional well-being of our staff. Munich Re therefore offers social counselling at various office sites in Germany to help staff deal with difficulties at work or at home. In addition, all employees are entitled to support from psychologists and psychotherapists under our Employee Care and Work-Life Services programme. Work-Life Services at our Munich head office, for instance, arranges mediation in the event of workplace conflicts. In this context, we also offer a two-day stress-management seminar. Participants learn the main scientific principles behind stress and psychological strain and are taught how they as individuals can identify the early-warning signals. In this way, they can take corrective action and devise personal techniques and strategies for ongoing stress management. A number of measures are in the pipeline catering specifically for older staff members. For instance, they will be able to take part in Munich Re’s PFIFF programme, which helps older employees maintain their intellectual capacity. This is sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs, and aimed at developing a work structure suited to older employees. The programme comprises cognitive training and techniques for strengthening individual resources, e.g. learning how to cope with stress.

Munich Re Group sick leave statistics

Data relate to Germany and Munich Re’s main offices in North America – on average these figures cover 57% of Munich Re’s total workforce.

Sick-leave levels at Munich Re were consistently low throughout the years from 2008 to 2010, with the level of absenteeism in 2010 totalling 4.3%.