Start Case studies Fast implementation when Saab introduced the MedHelp platform

Fast implementation when Saab introduced the MedHelp platform

In June 2020, Saab started using MedHelp’s absence management and rehab support for 15,000 employees. The implementation went quickly and was based on the integration of a large amount of data between Saab’s and MedHelp’s systems. Strong commitment, close cooperation, and clear benefits for the users have been some of the success factors in the implementation.

Saab – a global company

Saab is a global company producing products, services, and solutions for defense and security. Saab has around 20,000 employees globally and around 15,000 in Sweden, of which around 1,500 are managers. Operations are located throughout Sweden, from Malmö in the south to Luleå in the north.
Anita Vidovic, HR Specialist, tells us about when Saab decided to start using MedHelp’s digital occupational health services, in the middle of the pandemic in June 2020. The implementation, which set very high demands on security, was record-breaking and went beyond expectations thanks to a close collaboration between Saab, Feelgood, and MedHelp.
All approximately 15,000 employees and around 1,500 managers within Saab in Sweden use MedHelp’s services for absence management, medical counseling, and rehab support. The telephone service for reporting sickness and absence is open around the clock and provides fast and personalised medical advice from nurses, and through the platform, managers automatically receive the information they need if employees are absent.

Health work is a priority at Saab

Health issues are a high priority for Saab and have been for a long time. But during the pandemic, it became increasingly clear that there was a need for better structure and overview. The pandemic meant that many people were sick, but also that many wondered about their symptoms, whether to stay at home, go on sick leave, and how to handle leave. At the same time, around half of employees were working from home, making it harder for managers to stay in touch with their staff and keep track of their health and wellbeing.

– It was difficult to get an overview and keep track of why employees were sick, and it became clear that we needed a common system for managing sick leave. We only had time reporting as a basis for follow-up and that was not enough. We needed real-time data to be able to support managers in their management of sick leave and to be able to provide good support to employees who are sick,’ says Anita.

Saab’s decision to implement MedHelp’s platform turned out to be a win

The pandemic therefore accelerated Saab’s decision and the implementation of MedHelp’s services. However, the decision was carefully considered as health issues had long been high on the agenda and Saab was familiar with MedHelp.

– We looked at different solutions to streamline sickness and health management and provide good rehabilitation support to managers. We also wanted to create standardised processes to simplify for management, HR, supervisors, and employees, says Anita.

– We chose MedHelp’s solution via our occupational health service Feelgood because they have been well established in the market for a long time and we received good reviews about them. During initial demonstrations of the service, we also found it to be very user-friendly, says Anita.

The implementation went quickly, and everything worked beyond expectations. Especially since everything was done digitally without any physical meetings. It took three months from the decision to a fully implemented system. By then, Saab had integrated organisational and personal data for 15,000 employees from its HR system into the MedHelp platform. Saab also transferred last year’s sickness absence data to the MedHelp platform to have comparative data from the start.

– We have full integration between our HR system and MedHelp and the transfer of all data worked fantastically well. There are many advantages to having everything connected. All processes are much simpler and more efficient, for employees, managers, HR, and management, says Anita.

Security was an important factor for Saab

An important factor in the implementation was security. Saab has very high security requirements and when a new system is to be introduced, a security accreditation must be carried out. The requirements are particularly high when it comes to handling personal data about employees.

– We had to spend a lot of time on security issues, such as storage, servers, response times, and GDPR aspects. Although we were short on time, this is something we would never compromise on,’ says Anita.

Health counseling as part of strategic health work

Saab’s health strategists, who are HR professionals specializing in strategic health promotion, played an important role in the implementation, including holding information meetings throughout the organisation. MedHelp held digital training sessions for the 15,000 employees and produced instructional videos. Articles on the intranet, with the HR director and company doctor talking about the services, were also an important part of the implementation.

– We put a lot of emphasis on the counseling part of the communication, i.e. the possibility for employees to get quick and personal medical advice in connection with both sick leave and care of sick child. It is such a clear benefit that everyone can be helped by, says Anita.

Before the launch, a text message was sent to all employees with brief information and a telephone number for the service.
– It was important that this information reached everyone at the same time, especially as not everyone was on site. Some were ill, some worked at home, were on leave or other, says Anita.

Now there is one telephone number and one way in for all employees to report sickness, health, and leave.
– We’ve realised that a phone call goes a long way. Not least during Covid, when many people had questions about how to act in different situations. Personal counseling has been valuable. It’s easy to get advice and help and know how to proceed, and at the same time it gives us a good picture of why employees are sick, says Anita.

Simplicity and clear processes have made work easier

Clear, simple instructions have facilitated the introduction, and the new procedures have been very positively received by both employees and managers.
– Employees appreciate the simplicity and the personalised advice. Managers think it’s good to have everything in one place, to have clear processes, and to receive automatic reminders telling them what to do and when, for example when someone is on long-term sick leave or has repeated absences, says Anita.

Saab’s continued health work

Saab is a complex organisation that has grown through acquisitions and mergers and is constantly changing. Therefore, the possibility of continued development of the services based on Saab’s specific needs is important.

– MedHelp has been very accommodating, and we have had regular meetings with them and our occupational health partner Feelgood since the start to discuss development. Based on our feedback, we discuss opportunities, needs for new features, specific data or reports in the system, or anything else we need to collaborate on. It has worked very well,’ says Anita.

Saab now has a good platform to work from in its ongoing efforts to improve health and well-being.

– This is strategically important for us, and the platform gives us a good basis for our continued work while creating added value for both employees and managers. It will also be much easier for management and managers to get a good picture of sickness absence, both over time and here and now in real-time. It enables strategic work on health issues throughout the organisation, says Anita.

Last updated: 2024-10-01

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