The Lenzing Group’s health management system (“House of Health”) is based on the salutogenesis concept, which is tailored to the individual social and health care systems of the countries where Lenzing operates. It provides a conceptual framework for targeted investments in the health of Lenzing’s employees. Global Health Care Management works closely with the regional employees responsible for health issues as well as the department of Quality, Environment, Safety and Health (QESH).
Health care at Lenzing production facilities
Lenzing gives employees at almost all production sites access to an in-house primary care system that complements the existing health systems of the individual countries.
Lenzing uses medical partners in the regions around the sites to offer its employees a diagnosis and therapy service tailored to local needs. The range of medical services extends from several medical examinations and therapy sessions per week at the sites in Mobile (United States) and Grimsby (United Kingdom) through to healthcare services for family members at a clinic in the vicinity of the production site in Purwakarta (Indonesia).
The large production plants in Lenzing and Purwakarta also have their own outpatient clinics with qualified medical staff for quick, competent outpatient treatment of acute conditions and injuries as well as their own ambulances to ensure prompt follow-up treatment at special medical facilities.
Every Lenzing facility has first aiders trained in certified basic and regular refresher courses.
Health Climate Index (HCI) survey
Since 2021, all employees have been surveyed twice a year about their psychosocial working conditions. An index is formed from 17 questions on the topics of “health, social capital, effort, reward, control of work task, recreation, meaning, support, respect, development”, the trend of which over several survey rounds reflects the development of the working climate at the individual company sites. The responses are evaluated anonymously, and each participant receives personal feedback on their stated working conditions, which they can discuss with their manager. The summarized results and the trends at the individual sites are discussed in the Group management and, based on this, focal points are derived which appear suitable for improving or optimizing the internal working climate. The goal is to make workplaces at the Lenzing Group as sustainable as possible. In the first two survey rounds, the HCI changed from 67 percent to 66 percent. An HCI of 100 percent would mean optimal working conditions for all participating employees. The participation rates in both survey rounds of 2021 were 39 percent and 36 percent, respectively.
Health promotion
In addition to numerous regular activities at the company’s sites, fitness training has been the focus of the Lenzing Group’s health-promoting measures (eMotion programs) since 2019. These programs are designed to motivate and support employees in adopting a healthy lifestyle at work and during their leisure time. Due to the pandemic, activities were still reduced in 2021, but health information related to COVID-19 was also communicated via the health app mentioned below.
A healthy living app specifically tailored to companies (Moveeffect®) was adapted to meet the needs of the company and the various countries in which Lenzing operates. It was then distributed to all employees for voluntary use. The app aims to encourage employees to become more active via features such as feedback tools on the user’s own exercise habits, personal and group targets, ranking options, and small-scale competitions. It also offers a platform for communicating about personal fitness activities and initiating group activities. In 2021, the company used the app’s innovative appointment booking feature to offer COVID-19 vaccinations and “COVID-safe” health checks and COVID-19 antibody tests to employees at the Lenzing site.
Boost your immune system
In a group-wide six-week program, which could be accessed via the Moveeffect® app, employees were encouraged to strengthen their immune system. On the one hand, tips were given for a healthy lifestyle, and on the other hand, there was the “Boost your immune system” challenge, in which smiles could be collected through activities. All of the measures were designed to build up a daily healthy routine. The focus was on the topics: Move, Sleep, Stay Hydrated, 5 a Day, Vitamin D-Loading and Relax. Furthermore, vitamin D boxes were distributed to participants at all locations. The company also provided additional support in the form of free COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations.
Occupational medical care
In 2021, Lenzing continued to work on the gradual development of a coordinated network for occupational medical care that exceeds the minimum standards required by the individual countries. By enhancing competence in occupational medical care, Lenzing will ensure that employees and managers have the best resources available to protect themselves from and deal with risks in the workplace.
The COVID-19 pandemic also challenged occupational medical care at all Lenzing sites. Additional tasks such as COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and staff information were added to the daily activities. Thanks to the well-coordinated teams at the sites and the excellent preparation for global crisis management, the company has been able to manage the pandemic well so far. To date, there have been no major outbreaks at the sites.
Occupational health protection during the pandemic – two examples
Lenzing site
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, three full time equivalents at the Lenzing site have been working exclusively on COVID-19 and the associated testing and contact tracing measures. The well-established health center at the company’s headquarters and the internal and external laboratories also play an essential role in this context. Furthermore, close and smooth cooperation with local authorities has been in place from the outset.
Since the early summer of 2020, the Lenzing site has been carrying out COVID-19 tests directly on site using two of its own PCR devices. The throat swabs are taken by a doctor at the health center and analyzed in the company’s own laboratory. To date, 1321 tests have been performed. The results of the PCR tests are always available within 24 hours. In addition, more than 960 antigen tests have also been performed directly at the site in 2021.
In addition to people with symptoms, close contacts also have the option of getting tested in the company. Employees are encouraged to get tested in the company in order to quickly contain or prevent any further spread of the virus.
In January 2021, the immune status of 422 employees was determined via a voluntary blood test. Six percent of those participants who did not have a known COVID-19 infection nevertheless had antibodies due to asymptomatic infection.
Construction site in Brazil
It was very important for the Lenzing Group to be able to continue construction work in Brazil. An extremely dedicated external company (with several doctors and medical support staff) was contracted to provide medical care for personnel. A physician was also hired to manage and coordinate all COVID-19 issues. In addition, extensive rapid antigen testing and PCR testing was carried out in Brazil at a very early stage in collaboration with an external laboratory.
