What is workplace integration management (BEM)?
Integration management is a systematic process for reintegrating employees into everyday working life after prolonged illness, frequent absences, or health restrictions.
The aim is to reduce incapacity for work, maintain fitness for work, and at the same time take individual stress factors into account.
A well-structured BEM helps prevent further cases of illness and boosts employee motivation.
Legal basis
In Germany, the BEM is enshrined in Section 167 (2) of the Ninth Social Code (SGB IX) .
Companies are obliged to offer integration management to employees if they have been unable to work for more than six weeks continuously or repeatedly within a year.
Important: The offer is voluntary for the employee, and data protection plays a central role—information may only be passed on with the express consent of the person concerned.
Strategies and instruments
An effective BEM comprises several steps:
- Analysis of work capacity: Determining the causes of absenteeism and identifying obstacles.
- Individual measures: Adapted working time models, ergonomic workplace design, or gradual reintegration.
- Interdisciplinary cooperation: Cooperation between the HR department, managers, company doctors, and, if necessary, external therapists.
- Documentation and evaluation: Regularly review progress, adjust measures, and document successes.
- Employee surveys: Surveys after reintegration provide valuable feedback on the effectiveness of the measures, identify opportunities for improvement, and promote trust between employees and managers.
Best practices from the field
Companies that have successfully implemented BEM report lower absenteeism, higher employee retention, and increased productivity.
Examples:
- Flexible home office arrangements for returning employees
- Mentoring programs to support the return to work
- Targeted training for managers to address health needs
- Regular surveys to capture employee experiences and continuously improve BEM
Benefits for companies and employees
For companies, professional integration management means:
- Reduced healthcare costs
- Higher productivity
- Stronger employer brand
Employees enjoy benefits such as:
- Maintaining health and preventing further illness
- Individual support and appreciation
- Safe return to the work environment
Conclusion
Integration management is more than just a legal obligation — it is a strategic tool that promotes employee health, motivation, and company performance in equal measure.
Companies that implement systematic integration management and use employee surveys as a continuous feedback tool create an environment in which employees remain productive, satisfied, and healthy in the long term.
Investing in professional integration management therefore pays off in several ways: for the individual and for the company as a whole.
