Starting BGM: First Steps
How do I start BGM — without an in-house HR department?
Note: this guide references German law. In three steps: (1) Assess your BGF maturity in 3 min. — reveals where action is needed most. (2) Launch a ZPP-certified program (tax-free under Section 3 No. 34 EStG). (3) Measure impact after one quarter. BGF-Kompass automates all three steps.
3-Step Plan: Launch BGM in Under a Month
| Step | What to Do | Tool / Approach | Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Determine Your Starting Point | Assess your BGF maturity level: Where do we stand? What's the most urgent lever? | BGF-Kompass Maturity Check (free, 3 min.) | 3 minutes |
| 2 · Launch Your First Program | Based on the results: select and communicate a ZPP-certified program | BGF-Kompass Program Catalog + Upfit (ZPP-certified, reimbursed by German statutory health insurers) | 2–4 hours |
| 3 · Survey Employees | Launch a short pulse survey (3 questions) — a baseline for later measurement | BGF-Kompass Survey Module | 30 minutes |
| 4 · Document the Process | Record focus areas, programs, and results (Section 3 No. 34 EStG) | BGF-Kompass, automatically | 0 minutes (automatic) |
| 5 · After 1 Quarter: Measure | Repeat: maturity check + pulse survey → what has changed? | BGF-Kompass Dashboard | 1–2 hours |
Step 1: Determine Your Starting Point — The BGF Maturity Check
The most common mistake when starting BGM: launching a program right away without knowing where the real need for action lies. Instead, start by assessing the current state.
BGF-Kompass offers a free BGF maturity check (3 minutes) that reveals your current standing across all six focus areas (physical activity, nutrition, stress management, addiction prevention, work design, and occupational reintegration management). The result clearly shows where the biggest gaps are and which program will have the highest impact.
- Focus area profile: strengths and weaknesses at a glance
- Priority recommendation: which program to start with?
- Health insurer angle: which measures are suitable for a conversation with your health insurer
Step 2: Launch One Program — Not Ten
The second mistake: doing too much at once. Launching three programs simultaneously means you won't see any impact, you'll lose track, and you'll burn through budget. The recommendation: pick one program that matches your maturity check results, commit to it, and run it for 6–8 weeks.
A good starting point for most SMEs is a ZPP-certified program — for example, an online back-training course or nutrition coaching from Upfit. Under Section 20 SGB V (German law), statutory health insurers can reimburse their insured members for such certified courses in full or in part — that's individual prevention, not funding for the company. Separately: if the employer covers the costs, this benefit stays free of tax and social security contributions up to €600 per employee per year under Section 3 No. 34 EStG (German tax law) — an allowance, not a subsidy. Only your tax advisor can confirm the tax exemption.
Step 3: Measure Your Baseline — So You Can See the Impact Later
Before launching a program, you need to measure your starting point. Without a baseline, there's no before-and-after comparison and no proof for statutory health insurers or leadership.
BGF-Kompass provides a short pulse survey (3 core questions on well-being, stress, and work ability) that takes 30 minutes to set up and 2 minutes for employees to complete. The results are automatically saved as a time series — after the first quarter, you can immediately see whether anything has changed.
Tools to Get Started: What You Actually Need
BGM doesn't require an expensive tool stack. The essential tools to get started:
- BGF-Kompass: maturity check, surveys, program planning, documentation, and impact measurement all in one
- EasyBGM: an alternative for companies looking for a full BGM cockpit with community features
- Upfit: ZPP-certified courses (back training, nutrition, stress management) — reimbursed by statutory health insurers
- 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 'Systematic' Means — And What It Doesn't
Systematic doesn't mean elaborate. It means documented and repeated. The GKV Prevention Guide (German statutory health insurance association) describes four phases — analysis, planning, implementation, evaluation. Anyone who goes through these four phases (and BGF-Kompass automatically guides you through all four) has a systematic BGM process — regardless of how many programs 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 BGF maturity check (3 min.) shows you the right starting point.
- Launch one program — not ten. Quality over quantity.
- Establish a baseline (pulse survey) before the program begins.
- Statutory health insurers can reimburse their members for ZPP-certified courses; separately, employer benefits stay tax-free up to the allowance under Section 3 No. 34 EStG (German law) — your tax advisor can confirm it.
- BGF-Kompass automates documentation and impact measurement — 1–2 hours a month is enough.
Frequently asked questions
What's the fastest way to start BGM systematically?+
BGF maturity check in BGF-Kompass (3 min.) → select a ZPP-certified program based on the results → launch a pulse survey as your baseline. This can all be done in an afternoon and lays the groundwork for a documented process. Your tax advisor 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 BGM?+
BGF-Kompass covers maturity assessment, surveys, program planning, and documentation on one platform. Add Upfit for ZPP-certified courses (reimbursed by statutory health insurers). An SME doesn't need more tools than that 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 BGF maturity check (3 min.) is enough for initial prioritization. A more detailed employee survey is best added after 4–6 weeks, once the first program is underway.
How do I know if my programs are working?+
Through before-and-after measurement: run a pulse survey before starting (baseline) and repeat it after one quarter. BGF-Kompass displays the results as a time series. Additionally, track absenteeism, turnover, and participation rate as operational metrics.
Start Systematically Now — In 3 Minutes
Assess your BGF maturity and get an instant recommendation for the program with the biggest impact — free, no sign-up required.
Sources
- GKV Prevention Guide (BGF Phase Model) ↗
- Section 3 No. 34 EStG — Tax Exemption for BGF ↗
- 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.