Preventive Medical Examination (PMO): More Than Just a Legal Requirement

Is a PMO required?

Many employers view a Preventive Medical Examination (PME) as a mandatory component of their occupational health and safety policy. And that’s correct: under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers are required to offer employees a PME on a regular basis. What is often underestimated is that a well-designed preventive medical examination is much more than just a legal obligation. It is a powerful tool for structurally enhancing long-term employability, vitality, and job satisfaction.

A Preventive Medical Examination (PME) is required by law, but it offers organizations much more. Discover how to transform your PME from a legal requirement into a strategic tool for sustainable employability.

PMO is not just a requirement, but an opportunity to strengthen prevention on a structural level.

What does the PMO requirement entail?

The Working Conditions Act requires employers to offer employees the opportunity to participate in a preventive medical examination. The goal is to identify work-related health risks at an early stage and to prevent health complaints, absenteeism, and lost workdays.

The content of the PMO must align with the risks identified in the RI&E. These include physical strain, psychosocial risks (PSR), lifestyle, work pressure, or exposure to harmful factors such as noise. Participation in the PMO is voluntary, but employers are required to offer it.

The law requires that PMO be offered, not that people participate in it. The added value lies in how you implement it.

From a simple "checkmark" to a valuable management tool

In practice, preventive medical examinations are sometimes still viewed as an administrative obligation. That’s a shame, because the real value lies precisely in translating the results into action. A good PMO provides organizations with:

• Understanding health, well-being, and vitality risks
• Objective data for HR, management, the occupational health and safety service, and the works council
• Early signs of health issues, before absenteeism occurs
• Concrete starting points for preventive policies

By taking PMO findings seriously and linking them to interventions and policies, a continuous cycle of improvement is created.

Without follow-up, a PMO is merely a metric. With follow-up, it becomes a management tool.

What are the benefits of preventive medical examinations for employers?

The PMO offers clear benefits for employers. It helps with:

• Reducing absenteeism and long-term absenteeism
• Justifying decisions regarding sustainable employability
• Promoting good employment practices
• Compliance with laws and regulations (Workers' Safety and Health Act, Section 18)
• Gaining a better understanding of issues such as work pressure, mental strain, and lifestyle

In addition, the PMO helps build support. Preventive measures are more readily accepted when they are based on data and recognizable indicators from within the organization.

The Value of the PMO for Employees

Preventive medical examinations are also of great value to employees. They offer:

• Understanding one's own health and work-related risks
• Personal and confidential feedback
• Awareness and opportunities for action
• Opportunities for timely support or coaching

The PMO encourages employees to take charge of their health and employability, without this necessarily leading to medical treatment.

"Friendly, clear, and it encourages people to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Thank you!"

Feedback from a participant in Simple Check's Health Check

Frequently Asked Questions About the PMO

Is a preventive medical examination mandatory for all employers? Yes. Section 18 of the Working Conditions Act requires all employers—regardless of company size or industry—to offer employees a preventive medical examination on a regular basis. Participation is voluntary for employees.

How often should a PMO be conducted? The law does not specify a fixed frequency. In practice, most organizations follow a cycle of once every two to four years, depending on the nature of the occupational risks. For higher-risk situations (such as physically demanding work or high work pressure), a more frequent schedule is recommended.

What is the difference between a PMO and a PAGO? A PAGO (Periodic Occupational Health Examination) is the older term for the same concept. Today, the term PMO is used, with a broader focus: not only on work-related risks, but also on lifestyle, vitality, and self-management.

How much does a PMO cost? The cost of a PMO varies by provider and package. At Simple Check, we use a modular structure — ranging from a basic questionnaire to a comprehensive health check with a physical examination. This way, you pay for what suits your organization. Contact us for a customized quote.

PMO as a starting point for sustainable employability

At Simple Check, we view preventive medical examinations not as an end in themselves, but as a starting point. By combining these examinations with periodic assessments—such as (parts of) the PSA questionnaire or the DIX—targeted interventions, coaching, and clear communication, we create a comprehensive approach.

In this way, sustainable employability becomes not just a one-off project, but an integral part of organizational policy. Organizations that take this step are investing not only in health, but also in engagement, productivity, and future-proofing.

Sustainable employability starts with understanding and grows through follow-up.

How to Start a PMO That Truly Adds Value

Is your organization interested in implementing a preventive medical examination program? These five steps will help you get started:

1. Align the PMO with the RI&E: identify the most significant occupational risks and tailor the PMO accordingly.
2. Ensure clear communication: explain why the PMO is being offered, what employees can expect, and how privacy is safeguarded.
3. Make it easy to participate: consider short and effective digital questionnaires and a health check bus at your location.
4. Turn results into action: use the findings—potentially translated into risk profiles—to inform targeted interventions, coaching, and policy.
5. Evaluate and repeat: use the PMO on a regular basis and leverage the data for decision-making.

At Simple Check, we support organizations every step of the way: from setting up preventive medical examinations to translating results into concrete actions. This turns an obligation into an opportunity.

Curious about what a PMO can do for your organization? Contact Simple Check for a no-obligation consultation.

Stronger Together

Curious about what we can do for your company? Contact our advisors in the field of sustainable employability and discover our flexible, professional approach. At Simple Check, both people and the organization are central. Together, we work toward a healthy and productive future!