Health Counseling in the Workplace – A collaboration for reduced sick leave

Collaboration between companies, health counselors, and employees effectively reduces sick leave and promotes workplace health.

Sick leave is a significant societal challenge in Norway, costing NOK 69.6 billion in 2024. Mental health disorders and musculoskeletal issues are the most common causes of long-term sick leave, and physical activity is an effective preventive measure. However, translating knowledge into action in the workplace remains challenging, as many employees face barriers to habit change, and effective follow-up systems are lacking. To address this need, ABEL has developed a digital health counseling model, where employees receive systematic follow-up from certified health counselors. The goal has been to find a sustainable solution to reduce sick leave and improve employees’ quality of life and work function.

ABEL has developed an advanced training program for individuals with a healthcare background, qualifying them to become certified health counselors. This training provides specialized expertise in coaching, behavioral change, and health interventions, enabling health counselors to support individuals’ lifestyle changes in a research-based manner. ABEL has developed the Digital Health Counseling service, based on well-established theoretical frameworks in health, exercise, behavioral psychology, and coaching. The method combines personal follow-up via a digital platform with targeted interventions, including physical activity and lifestyle counseling. Digital health counseling is tailored to each employee’s needs, ensuring individualized adaptation, goal-oriented follow-up, and close collaboration between health advisors and employees. Currently, ABEL has established partnerships with 50 companies where employees with high sick leave rates (average 10.2%) have been offered digital health counseling.

A total of 2,053 employees participated in the program, with 38,801 consultations over a 21-week follow up, achieving a 89.5% completion rate for all scheduled consultations. On average, each employee engaged in 4.5 activities per week. After 4 months, sick leave had been reduced by 50.5%. Participants reported a 36% increase in energy levels, 24% improved sleep quality, 11% less stress, and 8% better concentration, in addition to a an average weight reduction of 7.1 kg. Notably, 87.5% of respondents wished to continue with health counseling.

The experiences from this project demonstrate that collaboration between companies, health counselors, and employees effectively reduces sick leave and promotes workplace health. Digital health counselors provide systematic, tailored follow-up while companies gain a tool to invest in their employees’ health. The results highlight the importance of collaboration and co-creation for sustainable health initiatives that benefit both employees and employers.