Swiss Workplace Health Expands Into Fertility and Menopause Support as Suva Returns 20% of Premiums
14.06.2026 - 00:14:37 | boerse-global.de
An automotive supplier in southern Germany now offers employees support for fertility treatments and menopause symptoms, part of a broader shift in occupational health management that is gaining momentum across German-speaking Europe. The move by Georg Schlegel, in cooperation with a partner, aims to reduce absenteeism and boost employer attractiveness. The company is among a growing number of organisations addressing specific life stages—reproductive health, mental well-being, and aging—within workplace health programmes.
Meanwhile, in the Swiss canton of Schwyz, "ensa" courses for mental health first aid will launch in autumn 2026, teaching staff how to respond to psychological crises. The IGZ EqualITy-Event also recently highlighted integrating mental health into daily work routines. These developments reflect a widening of what companies consider their health responsibility.
As workplace health programmes expand to cover more life stages and mental well-being, one cornerstone remains vital for every organisation: systematic risk assessment. A free toolkit provides 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists for fire safety, manual handling, first aid, and lone working — everything needed to keep risk documentation compliant and effective. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
At the national level, the Swiss accident insurer Suva announced it will return 20% of net premiums to policyholders in 2027, benefiting some 140,000 companies and over 2.2 million employees. The rebate is possible thanks to a surplus of 308 million Swiss francs in 2025, generated by an investment return of 4.3%. As a result, premiums for occupational accident insurance will fall by 0.8%, and for non-occupational accident insurance by 0.7%.
Accident figures present a mixed picture. Occupational accidents declined by 0.9% to around 166,000 cases, while non-occupational accidents rose by 2.8% to 296,000 cases. The insurer's financial health allows it to pass on savings even as certain risks increase.
Friendly Work Space Label Gains Traction
Within corporate health management, the "Friendly Work Space" certification is becoming a benchmark. Currently, 110 Swiss companies hold the label, covering more than 209,000 employees. At a sector meeting in mid-June 2026 at the KKL Luzern, around 80 professionals exchanged best practices. Firms including Schindler Aufzüge AG and Obwaldner Kantonalbank demonstrated how early intervention reduces absence rates. For the first time, workshops on healthy workplace climate were offered.
A national conference on workplace health management (BGM) is scheduled for mid-September 2026 in Bern, under the theme "Healthy Teams – How Collaboration Works". Keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, former NASA science director, will stress the importance of clarity, diversity, and team culture. Experts increasingly view health as a shared responsibility, advocating a conscious rhythm between strain and recovery, and binding rest periods to sustain performance.
Research and Regulation Also Shift
The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) is advancing the field. Its Department of Health celebrated its 20th anniversary in June 2026, with intensified research into driving competence in old age and cross-border healthcare provision.
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On the regulatory front, the Federal Department of Home Affairs has approved tariff reductions for laboratory analyses and simplified access to vaccinations, generating savings in the millions for basic health insurance. Separately, the Federal Council is preparing a new framework for financing palliative care, set to take effect in 2027.
Taken together, the changes signal that workplace health is evolving from a narrow accident-prevention mandate into a comprehensive approach that spans life phases, mental resilience, and structural incentives—backed by insurers, regulators, and employers alike.
