Starting WHP: first steps
How do I get started with workplace health promotion — without my own HR department?
In three steps: (1) Assess your WHP maturity in about 7 minutes — it shows the biggest lever. (2) Set a baseline with a short anonymous survey. (3) Start a first measure — a ZPP-certified course or your own measure within the workplace health promotion process; under German law (Section 3 No. 34 EStG), both can be tax-free, which your tax adviser can confirm. Then measure the same key figures again: first changes after a quarter, impact by comparing over twelve months. EasyWHP guides you through every step.
3-step plan: start workplace health promotion in less than a month
| Step | What to Do | Tool / Approach | Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Determine Your Starting Point | Assess your WHP maturity level: Where do we stand? What's the most urgent lever? | Maturity check on WHPCompass (free) | about 7 minutes |
| 2 · Survey your employees | Launch a short anonymous survey — baseline for later measurement | Survey in EasyWHP | little time |
| 3 · Start your first measure | Choose and communicate a measure that fits the results — a ZPP-certified course or your own measure within the WHP process | WHPCompass measure library, e.g. Upfit (ZPP; health insurers can reimburse insured members for the course fee) | a few hours |
| 4 · Document the Process | Record needs, measures and results (records for Section 3 No. 34 EStG) | EasyWHP | ongoing, along the way |
| 5 · After one quarter: first review | Repeat the survey, review maturity → what has changed? Compare impact over twelve months | Dashboard in EasyWHP | a few hours |
Step 1: How do you find out where your company stands?
Assess the current situation first — for example with the free WHP maturity check. A typical mistake when starting out is launching a measure right away without knowing where the real need lies.
WHPCompass offers a free WHP maturity check (11 questions, about 7 minutes). It shows your current status in six dimensions — strategy & attitude, structures & communication, offering & target group, participation & decision-making, resources, and evaluation & technology — and where your biggest lever lies.
- Profile across six dimensions: strengths and gaps at a glance
- Your biggest lever: where to start first
- Suggestions for the next step
Step 2: Why measure before the first measure?
Without measuring the starting point (baseline), there is no before-and-after and no evidence for management, the health insurance fund or your tax adviser. That is why you need this measurement before a measure starts.
EasyWHP includes short anonymous surveys that are quick to set up and take employees only a few minutes to complete. If you repeat the same survey after a quarter, the comparison shows whether anything is changing.
Step 3: How many measures should you start with?
With one — not ten: start one measure that fits the maturity results, follow it through and let it run for a few weeks. Another typical mistake is doing too much at once: if you start several measures at the same time, you see no effect, lose track and burn budget.
There are two ways to start. Way 1: a ZPP-certified course — e.g. an online back course or nutrition coaching from Upfit. Under Section 20 SGB V (German law), health insurers can reimburse their insured members for such courses in full or in part — that is individual prevention, not funding for the company. Way 2: your own measure implemented within the workplace health promotion process — with a needs assessment and employee involvement; no certification is required for this. If the employer covers the costs, the benefit can be free of tax and social security contributions up to €600 per employee per year under Section 3 No. 34 EStG (German tax law) on both ways — an allowance, not a subsidy. Only your tax adviser can confirm the tax exemption.
Which tools do you need to get started?
Only a few — WHP doesn't require an expensive tool stack. The essential tools to get started:
- EasyWHP: surveys, action planning, documentation and impact measurement in one — up to a complete WHP cockpit with a community feature
- WHPCompass: maturity check, measure library and guides — free
- Upfit: ZPP-certified courses (back, nutrition, stress management) — health insurers can reimburse insured members for the course fee
- Health insurer: your contact for project funding under Section 20b SGB V (German law) — no entitlement, but with a documented process a conversation on equal footing
- Tax advisor: confirms whether your measures are tax-free under Section 3 No. 34 EStG (German tax law) and clarifies payroll
What does “systematic” mean — and what doesn't it mean?
Systematic doesn't mean elaborate. It means documented and repeated. The GKV Prevention Guide describes the workplace health promotion process in six phases — preparation, using/building structures, analysis, action planning, implementation, evaluation. Anyone who goes through them (EasyWHP guides you through all six) has a systematic WHP process — regardless of how many measures it includes.
A single well-documented course with before-and-after measurement is more systematic than ten uncoordinated one-off actions without documentation.
Related measures & topics
Key takeaways
- Measure first, then act: the WHP maturity check (about 7 min.) shows the right starting point.
- Launch one program — not ten. Quality over quantity.
- Set a baseline (short survey) before the measure begins.
- Under Section 3 No. 34 EStG (German law), certified courses and your own measures within the workplace health promotion process can be tax-free — up to the allowance; your tax adviser can confirm this. Health insurers can also reimburse their insured members for ZPP courses.
- EasyWHP supports documentation and impact measurement — 1–2 hours per week are enough.
Frequently asked questions
What is the quickest way to start workplace health promotion systematically?+
Maturity check on WHPCompass (about 7 min.) → short anonymous survey as a baseline → a first measure that fits the results: a ZPP-certified course or your own measure within the workplace health promotion process. This can be done in an afternoon and lays the groundwork for a documented process. Your tax adviser confirms whether your measures are tax-free under Section 3 No. 34 EStG (German tax law); funding under Section 20b SGB V is decided by the health insurer project by project — there is no entitlement.
Which tools do I need to get started with WHP?+
EasyWHP covers surveys, action planning and documentation in one platform; the maturity check is available for free on WHPCompass. Add, for example, Upfit for ZPP-certified courses (health insurers can reimburse insured members for the course fee). An SME doesn't need more tools to get started.
How many programs should I launch at the same time?+
No more than one or two in the first quarter. Launching too much at once means you'll lose track and won't be able to measure impact. Better: commit fully to one program, measure it, then expand.
Do I need to run a full employee survey before I start?+
No. The WHP maturity check (about 7 min.) is enough to set first priorities. A short survey as a baseline should, however, come before the first measure; you can add a more detailed employee survey later.
How do I know if my programs are working?+
Through before-and-after measurement: run a short survey before you start (baseline) and repeat it after a quarter; compare the effect on absenteeism over twelve months. EasyWHP shows the key figures over time. In addition, record absenteeism, staff turnover and participation as company key figures.
Start systematically now — in about 7 minutes
Assess your WHP maturity and see right away where your biggest lever lies — free, no sign-up required.
Sources
- GKV Prevention Guide (WHP Phase Model) ↗
- Section 3 No. 34 EStG — Tax Exemption for WHP ↗
- Section 20 SGB V — Statutory Health Insurance Funding for Prevention ↗
Last updated: 2026-06-19. Not legal or tax advice — have your specific case reviewed by a professional.