UMCG Construction & Facilities Department

Case study with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) Building & Facilities Department

TheUMCGis one of the largest hospitals in the Netherlands and the largest employer in the northern Netherlands. Its more than 12,000 employees work together in the areas of patient care, research, training, and education, all with a shared goal: building the future of health.

A Conversation with Frank Werkman, Health Management Consultant (UMCG)

"My position of 'Health Management Advisor,' within the department of 'Construction & Facilities is new.' This title was more or less invented because it was set up completely new. The need was already there. For example, opportunities to actively work on the excessive absenteeism rate within the department had been looked at for some time. And beyond this specific challenge that was there, there was a need anyway to do something about the concept of sustainable employability. My experience is that an organization is often too late with the concrete design of sustainable employability so that you are behind the times. That is a shame. Precisely because you can gain so much by acting preventively. Attention to health and vitality, and especially prevention is the basis for this."

Mission and vision

"UMCG's mission statement is 'Building the future of health.' Of course, as a hospital, we stand for a policy focused on healthy living. For now and in the future. In this we go beyond the classical approach of treatment and cure. We look at prevention, investigate the causes of aging and provide information on health, prevention and quality of life. Sharing knowledge is also an important part of this.

We want to implement this way of working also at all times as far as our internal organization is concerned. So basically in the sense of 'practice what you preach'. That's why we looked at the possibilities to actively offer this policy. The choice to work with Simple Check is based on this. They are clear and pragmatic. The communication was very pleasant from the first moment. And the knowledge and experience in the field of sustainable employability is shared with us in a motivating way.

From the very first moment I came into contact with the project manager, Jochem de Boer, I knew, this is good. I experience the contact as clear and sincere. No fuss but down to earth. That appeals to me enormously."

Clarity and commitment

“For many people, the concept of sustainable employability is a catch-all term. This often makes it seem elusive. And that is exactly what we want to avoid. We want clarity and to ensure that people feel invested in their own sustainable employability. That is why we define sustainable employability in simple, relatable terms: How can you continue to work healthily and enjoyably for as long as possible? This applies to everyone!
Actively engaging with your own health and vitality out of intrinsic motivation is the key to long-term success. Drawing on my HRM background, I’ve encountered this concept frequently and know how important it is to address it proactively—or perhaps even more so, preventively.”

"We sometimes feel like the cowboys or pioneers within health management, and maybe we are. And that's exactly what makes this so much fun for us. I notice that more and more people are genuinely curious and interested in exactly what we are doing and what the effect is. That is such a positive sign for us. That gives confidence and provides motivation."

Frank Werkman

UMCG Construction & Facilities Department

Positive influence

"This initiative was immediately received positively. By both management, MT, executives and other colleagues. And we felt and feel this organization-wide. Because literally everyone responded so enthusiastically, the 300 spots for the health check, which we had reserved for now, were quickly filled. The managers also received an inspiring and informative workshop on the importance and influence of a sustainable employability policy. They were also given tools to discuss this topic with their people. By offering this workshop, the managers have many more tools in their hands to properly guide and reach out to their employees where needed."

Measurement

"Simple Check was commissioned by the Building & Facilities Department of the UMCG, to conduct an (anonymous) group report and evaluation among all participants. We share these insights within our organization in order to provide targeted support for application in practice. Because there is clearly a need for that. This check was certainly a so-called 0-meting for us. We intend to offer these checks once every two years, as part of the larger policy framework of healthy ageing. So that each time we can reflect and define a new starting point. It is not for nothing that our shared vision states that we are committed to the health and well-being of people. We want to help people stay healthy and active for longer. This certainly also applies to "our own employees. That fits with being a good employer. And therefore fits well with the UMCG."

In conclusion

Besides speaking to a very enthusiastic health management consultant, we were also struck by the fact that we received many responses from the participants themselves. Below we have noted 2 of them:

"I am very positive about the Health Check offered! I would like to repeat this. Eg 1x a year or 2 years. This way you can check whether improvements or not have been achieved in yourself." _Reaction of a participant in the Health Check at UMCG.

"It's nice to know how you are doing. Thank you very much for the effort, I will definitely use this."_Reaction from a participant in the Health Check at UMCG.

After all, in the end, this is what we're all about together!