Asset manager Öhman has long invested in its employees' physical and mental health. As a company they strive to create an inviting, friendly and generous work environment — and that is clearly reflected in employee wellbeing! Here Ulrika Håkansson, HR Director at Öhman, shares the insights and measures that have resulted from the health screening they carry out every year with OneLab.
For Öhman, the inclusive and open atmosphere is one of the most important things that characterises the workplace. By placing great focus on maintaining a good work environment while investing in physical activities and mental boosts, Öhman strives to give employees the best conditions to feel well at work.
Health screening with great added value
In 2018 they introduced an annually recurring health screening via OneLab as part of this work — an initiative that has proven to provide invaluable insights for both individuals and employers. Ulrika praises the solution, which she experiences as high quality:
"It is extremely convenient! OneLab is incredibly good to work with — they are professional, friendly, give a very good reception and create a sense of security among our employees. It is a major advantage that they also come to the office to carry out the examination, which makes it easier for everyone to participate. In addition, it is very quick to take a blood sample, which lowers the threshold even further," says Ulrika.
"It is extremely convenient!"
Ulrika Håkansson
HR Director, Öhman
The health screening via OneLab is also much appreciated among employees, argues Ulrika, and emphasises that they really see it as a benefit to be able to do this through their employer. They have almost 100 percent participation in the screening every year, which she sees as proof that the screening is experienced positively.
"Not everyone has the opportunity to offer this to their employees, and my colleagues are very grateful to get this opportunity. We have also seen that everyone appreciates the feedback reports very much."
Insights that have resulted in concrete measures
Since Öhman started its health initiative three years ago, they have acted on the improvement suggestions and recommendations that the results show. Each season the company has invested in arranging joint training sessions and instructor-led activities at several different levels so that every employee feels welcome. With the help of the health screening from OneLab they have captured what needs exist and offered everything from running training and circuit training to meditative yoga exercises.
Öhman has also addressed the mental challenges identified in the health screening with other types of initiatives. In one screening it emerged that staff were less stressed than average — but that sleep difficulties were a challenge many struggled with. This resulted in Öhman inviting a sleep researcher for a lecture on the subject, which was very popular among employees.
Strong focus on the physical work environment
The first health screening Öhman carried out also showed that people experienced problems in the office — they sat cramped, had difficulty concentrating and it was a generally messy environment. With these insights they took action and expanded the premises, created smaller quiet rooms, better rest rooms and more meeting rooms. The measures quickly contributed to creating calm and a better work environment in the office.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Öhman's employees in 2020 worked both remotely and from the office in alternating periods, which places different demands on the work environment.
"Right now everything is of course a bit more difficult, as we have less opportunity to do things together. But as an employer we are responsible for the work environment even at home, and it is very important for us to be able to provide everything employees need here. We have, for example, a fantastic IT department and office services that deliver equipment to colleagues at home. That means we can continue to be a very good workplace, even remotely!" says Ulrika proudly.
Proactivity around health more important than ever
During autumn, when the spread of the coronavirus decreased somewhat, Öhman arranged the health screening on four different occasions spread over two weeks, to safely let staff come in and get tested. Nothing specific stood out in the result — which Ulrika sees as reassurance and confirmation that they are doing the right thing, even under these special circumstances. She further emphasises that Öhman has been very careful to look after their employees' health continuously over the past year:
"Managers have an enormously important role right now. When you don't meet each other naturally at the workplace every day, it is very important that everyone has ongoing contact with their employees. Things can creep up without you noticing — and that means we have to be even more alert. It is important for us to be proactive and pick up signals in good time, and act immediately if something comes up."
A continued partnership with the health screening in focus
After three initial years Öhman has renewed its agreement with OneLab to continue with the annual health screenings and Ulrika is convinced that they will also work more closely together in the future.
"They are a nimble organisation with a lot going on — and that is good so that we can also develop in the right direction when it comes to safeguarding employee health and wellbeing," concludes Ulrika.
