Abstract
AIMS: The aim of the present study was to examine whether the prevalence of the operational integration management programme in Germany (BEM) is associated with selected structural characteristics of companies and variables from the field of social resources. METHODS: The study was based on the representative 2018 BIBB/BAuA employment survey. An assumption was made of the existence of an association between BEM and characteristics of companies, indicating a prioritisation of health and social resources. Furthermore, the same variables were considered with the acceptance of BEM, complemented by person-related characteristics. RESULTS: About forty percent of employees on long-term sick leave were offered BEM, of which about seventy percent accepted the offer. BEM was more likely to be offered in companies where employees were aware of workplace health promotion (WHP) measures, where supervisors often gave praise and recognition, where there was often a sense of community in the workplace, and where there was a works or staff council. In smaller companies, in service and craft enterprises, the BEM offer was accepted more frequently than in larger companies, the public sector, and in companies in the industry. Of the personal characteristics, only a longer incapacity to work was associated with the acceptance of BEM. CONCLUSIONS: The association with WHP and appreciative supervisor behaviour suggest that companies in which good and health-promoting work is given higher priority are more likely to implement the legal requirements for BEM. At the same time, it is also conceivable that the opposite effect exists and that companies have taken the introduction of BEM as an opportunity to review their other commitment to the health of their employees because of the cases that have occurred.