A comprehensive analysis by Beck and Lenhardt (2019) reveals that only 21% of German companies actually carry out the legally required risk assessment of psychological stress (GB Psyche) — a clear violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act §5. Since 2016, this assessment has not only been recommended but mandatory by law. Companies that fail to comply with this obligation risk not only serious legal consequences, but also the well-being of their employees.
Every employer in Germany is required to carry out a psychological risk assessment from the very first employee. This legal basis is found in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG) §5, which since 2013 has explicitly included psychological stress as risks to be examined (ArbSchG §5 para. 6). Although the Act does not prescribe a specific method for collecting these burdens, the Joint German Occupational Safety Strategy (GDA) provides valuable guidance for the systematic collection and assessment of these risks. The GDA is an association of occupational health and safety authorities and accident insurance institutions that support companies in implementing these obligations.
In addition to the obligation to carry out a psychological risk assessment, every employer is required under §3 ArbSchG “[...] to take the necessary occupational safety measures, taking into account the circumstances that influence the safety and health of employees at work.” This means that a thorough analysis of the psychological stress in the company must first be carried out. A distinction must be made between general burdens in certain areas of activity and specific burdens in individual activities.
The specific safety and health protection measures that must be taken are regulated in detail in §4 ArbSchG. These measures must be implemented according to the so-called TOP principle (technology, organization, person), which focuses on technical solutions, work organization and personal measures. Employers are required to identify the causes of stress and to implement appropriate measures to reduce these risks.
This is where mentalport comes in as an innovative solution. The platform not only supports companies in documenting and implementing GB Psyche, but also offers tailor-made measures to reduce identified risks. This means that companies not only fulfill their legal obligations, but also actively promote the health and well-being of their employees.
While many traditional approaches are limited to meeting minimum legal requirements, mentalport is setting new standards. The platform provides a comprehensive solution that goes beyond mere regulatory compliance. It enables individualized adjustment of occupational safety measures, which enables companies to guarantee legally compliant documentation and continuous improvement of working conditions in real time.
With mentalport, you can ensure that your company is not only compliant with legal requirements, but also promotes a progressive corporate culture. While many companies are still hesitating and neglecting the implementation of GB Psyche, with mentalport, you are taking a holistic approach that not only reduces absenteeism and fluctuation, but also sustainably increases the commitment and satisfaction of your employees.
Within less than a month, mentalport not only provides you with reliable results from the risk assessment, but also opens doors to comprehensive health promotion and personnel development. Thanks to mentalport's flexible and anonymous management app, you can efficiently use the results to take immediate action to improve working conditions.
The regular implementation of the psychological risk assessment (GB Psyche) brings numerous benefits for companies and employees. In addition to compliance with legal requirements, GB Psyche makes a significant contribution to preventing mental illnesses and improving the working climate. By identifying psychological stress at an early stage and taking targeted measures to reduce it, companies can ensure the health and performance of their employees in the long term. In addition, a well-managed GB Psyche promotes employee trust in the employer and strengthens ties with the company. Especially in times of increasing demands and increasing pressure, it is crucial to create a culture of dealing openly with psychological stress.
However, implementing GB Psyche in practice can be challenging, particularly for smaller companies that do not have specialized HR or healthcare departments. This is where mentalport comes in by offering companies a user-friendly platform that simplifies and standardizes the entire risk assessment process. With mentalport, companies can easily survey and document the current state of their employees' psychological stress and derive appropriate measures. The platform also offers a wide range of immediately bookable intervention options that are directly tailored to the specific needs of employees. This not only ensures legal certainty, but also achieves a sustainable improvement in working conditions.
Another crucial aspect of GB Psyche is its role in promoting a positive corporate culture. Companies that actively address mental health and implement measures to relieve their employees send a strong signal of appreciation and care. This can significantly increase employee engagement and increase the company's attractiveness as an employer on the job market. mentalport goes beyond mere compliance with legal requirements and offers solutions that support the development of a health-promoting corporate culture. By integrating measures to manage stress, promote resilience and psychological support into everyday working life, mentalport creates an environment in which employees can develop their full potential.
In addition, mentalport's app-based solution enables flexible and anonymous use of offers, which is particularly important in sensitive areas such as mental health. Employees can use the resources and support options provided on their own without feeling watched or stigmatized. This not only promotes employee well-being, but also contributes to creating a trusting and respectful working environment. Companies that use mentalport therefore invest not only in the health of their employees, but also in the long-term stability and attractiveness of their corporate culture.
With an approach based on individual results, you decide for yourself how deep you dive into the topic of health at work — or let mentalport do the work thanks to our unique app.
Mentalport is not only the answer to legal requirements, but also a key resource for personalized solutions on a behavioral and proportionate level. In an era in which mental health in the workplace is at the center, mentalport is defining the standard for sustainable and effective promotion of wellbeing in the workplace.
Choosing mentalport is an investment in the future of your company. With an individually adaptable approach, you decide for yourself how deep you want to dive into the topic of occupational health. mentalport not only offers an answer to legal requirements, but also a key resource for personalized solutions that affect both levels of conduct and relationship. At a time when mental health is becoming increasingly important in the work environment, mentalport is defining the standard for sustainable and effective promotion of well-being in the workplace.
By using mentalport, you not only ensure compliance with legal regulations, but also create a basis for long-term success and employee satisfaction in your company.
Photo by Christina @wocintechchat .com upon Unsplash
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Tim Kleber is CEO and co-founder of mentalport. As a mechanical engineer, business psychologist and data scientist, he combines technical precision with psychological expertise. His specialization: psychological risk assessment (GBU Psyche) in accordance with §5 ArbSchG and ISO 45003-compliant implementation in companies. After his own auditor experience in occupational safety, he and the mentalports team developed anonymous infrastructure for mental wellbeing management - today used by over 50 companies to reduce psychologically related downtime and active wellbeing management.
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