For the first time, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) headquarters in Vienna has been awarded the Workplace Health Promotion (Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung BGF) seal of approval for 2026-2028 by the Austrian health fund (Österreichische Gebietskrankenkasse – ÖGK). This award is presented to companies that are particularly committed to the health and well-being of their employees. Thanks to the EAN Board and EAN Executive Director, Anja Sander, the workplace health promotion has been an integral part of the organisation’s philosophy for many years. With the BGF award, our efforts towards health promotion at work have been officially supported and recognised. Our quality manager and health project coordinator, Magdalena Matczak, received the Workplace Health Promotion Seal of Approval 2026–2028 on behalf of the EAN team.
Obviously, at EAN, the topic of health is firmly embedded in the organisation’s mission to reduce the burden of neurological diseases. With the Brain Health Mission, created in 2023, even more focus is put on empowerment of people in promoting their own health. As an important step in creating a future where brain health is a global priority, our internal goals focus on health promotion for employees.
Health at work as a common effort
The health promotion initiative focuses on measures to reduce workloads, prevent illness (physical and mental), and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
The strategy for health promotion at our office is coordinated by Gottfried Dresler and Magdalena Matczak in cooperation with the executive director, Anja Sander.
“As an organisation uniting thousands of health care professionals, it is our duty to set an example by doing our best to provide a workplace that promotes health and brain health. People are spending one third of their lives at work, and I strongly believe that it is the duty of companies and their leaders to provide a strong basis for the people they are responsible for to stay healthy, or to stay at home, if they are sick. Investing in health is always an investment in the future.” said Sander.
Besides the ‘health at work’ team, all staff are invited to contribute to the health plan to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and that a healthy environment is maintained and continuously improved. Steered by a small group of colleagues with support and advice from an occupational physician and a safety officer, the EAN Head Office is working towards excellence in health promotion at work.
This year’s health agenda is dedicated to mental health at work. Together with an occupational psychologist we are inquiring and evaluating psychological stressors at work, in order to introduce measures to reduce unfavourable work conditions and to endorse a healthy workspace.
What we do
At the EAN Head Office health is an ongoing topic. It includes measures that seem obvious, like staying at home when sick, taking breaks during the workday, and having lunch together with colleagues to share challenges and celebrate successes.
Furthermore, the implemented flexible working time system enables staff to work at times that are best for them and in line with their responsibilities and tasks.
All colleagues are offered ergonomic workspaces, quality office equipment, fruit and vegetables, and healthy snacks for meetings, just to mention a few measures.
Striving for progress, we organise a wide array of activities dedicated to staff health promotion. These range from various annual health initiatives and fitness activities – such as daily yoga and stretching sessions, and free access to different fitness activities – to office-wide health days in collaboration with the EAN’s occupational physician and other experts in the field of psychology, physical therapy, safety at work and much more. Furthermore, medical consultations and vaccinations are a part of the EAN’s office health strategy as well as easy access to mental and physical first aiders and mediators.
We are very proud what the EAN has achieved in the last few years, including in the field of healthy workplace promotion, and are looking forward to extending our health strategy even further. More health activities are planned – we will keep you posted!
If you have questions, you are welcome to contact quality@ean.org.
