The daily commute to work can be both long and stressful. This is also the experience of 54-year-old Mangesh Lachake. He works for Siemens India, at the Industry Sector in Worli, though his home is 30 kilometers away in Mulund, a Mumbai suburb. His daily commute to and from work, which takes several hours, is frequently a cause of stress and hassle and ultimately impacts his health.

For Venkat Ramulu, aged 49 and head of production planning and stores departments at Siemens’ Hyderabad Works, quick decision-making is critical to ensure high levels of quality, efficiency and productivity. Besides the particular challenges in his immediate working environment, he shares the same problems as Mangesh, with a lengthy commute to and from his workplace every day. He is convinced that all this will sooner or later take a toll on his health, although he already maintains a balanced diet and takes plenty of exercise.

Venkat and Mangesh are just two of more than 2,200 Siemens India employees taking part in the national Fit4Life program. The program was developed by Siemens India's Health Management Team and is particularly directed at employees who are subject to stress in their working environment. The aim is to support employees in dealing with the day-to-day challenges they encounter at work, and to promote good health and a proper work-life balance. The program is based on the rational emotive behavioral therapy model approach. This psychological approach is both discussion- and behavior-oriented, and seeks to encourage individuals to take personal responsibility for their own health.

​The program itself commences with a check-up designed to identify possible health risks right from the outset, enabling targeted measures to be derived. In addition the employees can take a web-based questionnaire on the topic of stress, and how to address and master stressful situations. This questionnaire is based on scientific findings, and has been adapted in line with particular local needs. The employee receives their results in the form of an evaluation of their psychological wellbeing. Both the check-up and the online test provide the employee with an overview of their physical and mental health, and come up with recommendations about sports, exercise and stress management opportunities.

Dr. Ganesh Kulkarni, head of the Health Management Team, says that the Fit4Life program is unique. In contrast to earlier programs, Fit4Life focuses on boosting vitality and promoting a healthy work-life balance. He is convinced that the use of the program can ward off health issues, which are often attributable to stress. In addition, being able to deal more effectively with potentially difficult situations can help improve relationships with superiors and colleagues, as well as those within the family.

Dr. Armin Bruck, Managing Director of Siemens India, is delighted that the Fit4Life program is such a success. For him, the employees are the focus of attention and a fit and motivated workforce is key to sustaining growth and productivity.