Workplace health policies in response to the pandemic – perspectives on cooperation between companies and external actors
Project leader: Dr. Martin Kuhlmann
Research field
- Interdisciplinary research on pandemic long-term impacts on living and working conditions
Who is involved?
- Dr. Martin Kuhlmann (Project leader, SOFI)
- Dr. Barbara Splett (SOFI)
- Dr. Felix Behling (DRV)
- Dr. Svenja Reiber (DRV)
- Dr. Sveja Eberhard (AOK)
- Dr. Jona T. Stahmeyer (AOK)
- Stefan Pemp (MS)
What is the aim?
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has increased health related problems within companies and created new needs for workplace health policies. Related scientific knowledge, especially regarding medium and long-term consequences of the pandemic, is still limited. Based on qualitative expert interviews and case studies, this project investigates on how company and external health-related actors deal with challenges for occupational health posed by the pandemic and its long-term effects. It analyses if and how conditions for workplace health policies as well as related action strategies and forms of cooperation have changed due to the pandemic, and it asks for what can be learned from the SARS-CoV-2 experience for improving workplace health promotion. Analysis will focus on cooperative relations between company and external actors that influence work-related health policies – such as health and pension insurances, public health and safety authorities, professional associations and works doctors. Through practitioner workshops, such actors will be closely involved in the discussion of research results and in developing strategies to increase actors’ cooperation. Particular attention will be paid to identifying possibilities for using organizations’ existing health-related data in more encompassing and integrated ways.