Scientific monitoring of the fit2work counselling programme

The stresses and demands of working life can lead to health problems, sick leave and temporary or even permanent incapacity to work. Physical, but also increasingly observable mental complaints and illnesses represent a major challenge for employees and employers, as well as for society as a whole. Against this backdrop, the Austrian Work and Health Act – AGG 2010 (Federal Law Gazette I No. 111/2010, last amended by Federal Law Gazette I No. 219/2021) established a basis for creating a ‘nationwide, low-threshold information, counselling and support service. This must provide targeted information on health-promoting topics in working life and serve as an early intervention option for health problems of employed and unemployed persons’ (§ 1. (1) ibid.).

The fit2work counselling programme was established on this basis, with the overarching aim of contributing to maintaining employability for as long as possible. Specifically, the activities of fit2work are aimed at:

• information and awareness-raising to prevent illness and promote health in the workplace,
• maintaining and regaining the ability to work,
• supporting long-term and sustainable (re)integration into the labour market,
• the (re)integration into the workplace after a long period of sick leave (taking into account part-time reintegration) and
• the targeted development and utilisation of structures and processes suitable for the respective company, in particular for the management of reintegration cases.

The information, counselling and support services offered by fit2work are now an established instrument that supports both individuals and companies with specific offerings at the interface between work and health. The counselling services for the 2025 to 2029 performance period are the subject of the planned evaluation. Specifically, these are

• fit2work personal counselling incl. Case Management Plus (CM+) and clinical psychological treatments
• fit2work integration counselling for companies
• BGM orientation (occupational health management (BGM) in the company)

The central objective of the evaluation is to assess the quality and impact of the fit2work programmes from the subjective perspective of the participating individuals and companies.