Olympus UK & Ireland
The Macmillan Coffee Morning, a charity event for supporting cancer patients and their families, was held for about one month. During the event, employees enjoyed light refreshments while sharing information to raise cancer awareness and support cancer patients.
Health Management and Better-Health Promotion
- Basic Approach and Priority Measures
- Health Promotion Initiatives
- Health Maintenance and Improvement Initiatives in Japan
Basic Approach and Priority Measures
Background
The Olympus Global Code of Conduct states that “Safe and healthy workplace is a major priority. We take proactive steps to prevent accidents and occupational illnesses at work and promote good health and wellness as well as work-friendly environment.” We position the ability of employees to perform their best in good physical and mental health as an important factor in supporting the sustainable growth of the company, maintain a system for the promotion of better health, and, taking account of local characteristics, actively engage in a variety of initiatives.
Priority Measures
- Fostering a healthy organizational culture, as well as building a workplace environment where employees can perform at their best with both their physical and mental well-being in good shape.
- Having employees understand that they perform at their best when both their physical and mental well-being are in good shape, and promoting improvements in the health awareness and healthy behavior of each employee.
Health Promotion Initiatives
We conduct health promotion measures globally on the basis of initiatives in the three health categories: checkup & care, creating healthy habits, and mental health. We have set increasing knowledge about cancer and checkups as long-term priorities shared around the world and implement measures such as the provision of information on cancer, employee education, and provision of opportunities for cancer screening.
| Category | Contents |
|---|---|
| Checkup & Care | Medical examinations |
| Increasing knowledge about cancer and checkups | |
| Vaccinations against infectious diseases | |
| Creating Healthy Habits | Promotion of exercise (walking, etc.) |
| Promotion of healthy diet | |
| Promotion of quality breaks | |
| Mental health | Self-care education for employees |
| Line-care education for managers, etc. | |
| Mental health consultations (external counseling organizations, etc.) |
Priority Topic: Increasing Knowledge about Cancer and Checkups
We are undertaking activities globally to raise employee knowledge concerning cancer and raise awareness of the importance of screening with the objectives of raising cancer screening rates. Information about initiatives in different regions is shared through in-house social media and other means, and the entire Group is working together to implement cancer countermeasures.
Activities in Each Region
Macmillan Coffee Morning, A Cancer Awareness and Charity Event
Campaign to Promote Endoscopy Tests
Olympus (Beijing, Shanghai) Sales & Service Co., Ltd.
With the objective of increasing endoscopic examination participation rates, we analyze the factors that prevent employees from undergoing these examinations. Based on the results, we are working to improve the examination environment through initiatives such as holding seminars to deepen understanding of the importance of these examinations and creating and distributing guidebooks to all employees with information on the examination process and recommended healthcare institutions.
Encouraging Endoscopic Examinations through Ambassadors
Olympus (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
We are working to reduce anxiety about endoscopic examinations by creating an environment where employees can undergo examinations with peace of mind. As a part of this initiative, we conduct activities where employees who previously underwent examinations serve as ambassadors, sharing information about their experiences in the importance of the examinations through in-house social media. Through this initiative, we are deepening employee understanding regarding endoscopic examinations and improving participation rates.
Information concerning the Olympus Group’s cancer awareness-raising measures can be found here.
Measures concerning Checkup & Care
We implement medical examinations in each region aimed at the prevention, early detection, and early treatment of lifestyle-related and other illnesses. Furthermore, as measures for the prevention of infectious diseases, we provide opportunities for vaccination against influenza and so on.
Examples of Activities in Each Region
Biometric Health Checkups
Olympus Corporation of the America (U.S.A.)
With the objectives of health promotion and prevention and early detection of diseases through regular monitoring of health condition, we provide employees and their spouses with examination opportunities including blood pressure measurement, waist measurement, BMI calculation, blood tests, and other screenings.
Influenza Vaccinations Olympus Corporation of the Americas (U.S.A.), Olympus Surgical Technologies America (U.S.A.), Olympus Europa SE & Co. KG (Germany), Olympus Australia Pty Ltd. (Australia), Olympus Belgium S.A./N.V. (Belgium), Olympus Estonia OÜ (North Europe), etc.
In each region we endeavor to prevent infectious diseases by offering and paying for influenza vaccinations.
Measures to Create Healthy Habits
Maintaining and improving healthy lifestyle habits are the foundations for preventing disease. We actively conduct awareness-raising events and campaigns based on regional circumstances and needs.
Examples of Activities in Each Region
BeWell Program (Wellness Activities)
Olympus Corporation of the America (U.S.A.)
The BeWell program provides various wellness activities to support overall employee well-being in the physical, mental, environmental, economic, and social domains. To encourage healthy habits, we collaborate with outside parties and provide employees access to monthly-on-demand online courses that focus on nutrition, fitness, mental health, and other topics.
Nutrition and Fasting Seminar Olympus Iberia S.A.U. (Spain)As part of the “Be healthy, Be happy” well-being campaign, the company conducted a seminar on how to effectively incorporate fasting and a balanced diet into one’s lifestyle.
City Walk
Olympus (Beijing, Shanghai) Sales & Service Co., Ltd. (Beijing, Shanghai)
To deepen understanding on the importance of exercise habits and promote team building, the company created 3 to 4 km routes in various locations around China and conducts walking activities by teams of several people each. More than 900 employees from locations in China participated, enjoying exercising while taking photos at checkpoints along the way.
Providing Healthy Menu Options at the Employee Cafeteria
Olympus Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Vietnam)
To promote employee health, build a positive workplace environment, and improve employee motivation and performance, the company provides healthy menu options, salad and juice buffets, and other options in the employee cafeteria. The cafeteria also regularly incorporates international cuisine into the menu to expand both enjoyment and the range of options in an effort to increase employee satisfaction.
Measures concerning Mental Health
Initiatives concerning employee mental health are an extremely important topic. In each region, we are implementing a wide range of initiatives with creative approaches, including various awareness-raising seminars and events from the perspectives of both self-care and line care and establishing external consultation services and encouraging their use.
Examples of Activities in Each Region
Mental Health Awareness Training
Olympus Corporation of the America (U.S.A.)
The Company conducted training for leaders on effective ways to respond appropriately to mental health issues among team members, including providing information and education on common signs and symptoms and consulting with Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
Mental Health and Well-Being Podcasts
Olympus Surgical Technologies Europe (Germany) To provide hints for employees to turn their attention to their own mental health, the company not only provides general information, but also regularly hold information distribution and sharing events called “Mental Health and Well-Being Podcasts” conducted by experts and employees.
Mental Health Seminar Olympus (Beijing, Shanghai) Sales & Service Co., Ltd. (Beijing, Shanghai)
The company held a seminar led by a psychiatrist on the topic of “Self Stress Relief and Health Management.” The seminar, attended by approximately 150 employees, addressed self-checks, stress relief methods, and ways of dealing with sleep disorders.
EAP (employee assistance program) Initiatives
Olympus Corporation of Asia Pacific Limited, Olympus Hong Kong and China Limited (Hong Kong)
A dedicated EAP available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day was launched in support of all employees in September 2023, free of charge. Posters have been put up, e-mails sent out, etc., in order to better promote knowledge of EAPs and inform employees of how to utilize the program.
Mental Well-Being Webinar
Olympus Medical Systems India Private Limited (India)With the aim of enhancing various aspects of employee well-being including physical, mental, and financial, programs are conducted on a monthly basis under the title “Wave of Wellness Programme.” As one part of these activities, a seminar focusing on mental well-being was held, providing employees an opportunity to learn about healthy mindsets and mindfulness.
Health Maintenance and Improvement Initiatives in Japan
Background to Initiatives
In 2008, a department to promote and oversee the health activities of employees was set up in the Human Resource Division of Olympus Corporation and began the centralized management of health promotion measures throughout Japan including domestic Group companies while liaising with the Health Insurance Association. Since then, this department has established/maintained an industrial health system, standardization of health management operation, and a health management system, and promoted efforts based on the outcomes of these initiatives.
The Olympus Health Declaration
The Olympus Global Code of Conduct states that “Safe and healthy workplace is a major priority. We take proactive steps to prevent accidents and occupational illnesses at work and promote good health and wellness as well as work-friendly environment.” In Japan, also including Japan subsidiaries, we established the Olympus Health Declaration to help maintain and improve the health of employees and their families.
In line with the announcement of the Health Declaration, action to prevent passive smoking is to be made a priority. At the same time, we are introducing measures to help employees to become healthy and stay healthy, including advice with lifestyle improvements, recommendations and financial assistance with screenings to catch cancer at an early stage, and how to avoid mental health problems.
In this way, the Olympus Group wants to create a corporate culture that encourages employees to be healthy, both physically and mentally and for everyone to lead healthy and happy lives.
Olympus Health Declaration
Realization of a Better Livelihood and Happiness
Our corporate philosophy is to contribute to society by “Making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling.” We believe this is possible with the support of healthy employees and their families with vitality.
Olympus places top priority on the health of its employees and their facilities through the following activities.
- Olympus regards employee health as an important management issue and is committed to a corporate culture that places top priority on employee safety and health.
- Olympus will continue to create a workplace environment where employees are able to work with vitality and good physical and mental health.
- Olympus cooperates with the Health Insurance Association to support better health to each and every employee and their families.
Health Promotion System
Based on the plan for efforts each fiscal year, the Human Resources EHS Department leads the promotion of efforts across all Olympus’ group companies in Japan while working in unison with the Health Insurance Association, industrial health care personnel, and industrial physicians.
Health Management Strategy Map
By creating a Health Management Strategy Map that clarifies the ties between the initiatives relating to health management/better-health promotion of employees and management issues, and adopting absenteeism (average number of days off) and presenteeism (degree of fulfillment of work capacity) as health management indexes, initiatives to promote the better health of employees are actively ongoing. Each quarter, Group companies are subject to a company-wide review. Our goal is to improve the level of individual initiatives by way of feedback on issues and shared information. We sent five-year targets for each item and work with management to conduct quarterly reviews of the progress and results of measures across the entire Olympus Group. The details of these reviews are used to enhance activity levels through feedback to Group companies and are also reflected in the following year’s activity plans, leading to continuous improvement of health management initiatives.
Health Management and Better-Health Promotion
Based on the Health Management Strategy Map, by adopting checkups & care, creating healthy habits, and mental health as priority measures, various initiatives are actively ongoing to improve absenteeism, presenteeism, and work engagement, which are target indexes.
Measures concerning Checkup & Care
Undergoing physical examinations and understanding/improving the results of physical examinations are basic initiatives in terms of health management. Adopting the percentage of employees who undergo regular physical examinations and the percentage of employees who undergo cancer screenings as indexes, initiatives to make improvements are ongoing.
Regular physical exams and follow-ups
Conducted mainly by industrial doctors and medical staff permanently stationed at each site, we thoroughly implement regular health examinations and, based on post-exam measures, interviews and follow-up. We are also enhancing our efforts to encourage employees in whom health issues have been detected, and others who require them, to undergo full medical examinations.
Cancer screenings
At Olympus, we incorporate endoscopic tests using our own products into the health-exam menu toward the early detection and early treatment of cancer. We have also maintained high rates for both (71.9% for gastrointestinal endoscopies and 63.3% for colonoscopies in FY2025).
The Health Insurance Association fully subsidizes the costs of examinations, including those for family members, with some exceptions. The full support it provides also includes that for gynecological examinations in all age brackets.
Following examinations, we ascertain the results and actively encourage those employees who require more detailed examinations to get them.
In addition, we hold regular e-learning sessions and seminars to improve employee’s knowledge of cancer and to promote higher uptake for cancer screenings.
Cancer screening test support system
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| Examination Item | Target | Health Insurance Cost Subsidy |
|---|---|---|
| Stomach cancer (endoscope, pepsinogen examination) | 35 years and older | 100% coverage |
| Colorectal cancer (endoscope, fecal occult blood test) | 35 years and older | 100% coverage |
| Breast cancer/Cervical cancer | Women of all ages | 100% coverage |
| Prostate cancer (PSA marker) | Men 50 years and older | 100% coverage |
| Abdominal ultrasonography | 40 years and older | 100% coverage |
| Lung cancer (lung helical CT) | 40 years and older | 50% (upper limit of 5,000 yen, including tax) |
Measures to Create Healthy Habits
Creating good lifestyle habits is very important to prevent lifestyle diseases and maintain good physical and psychological health. Olympus’ group companies in Japan have set five healthy lifestyle habits and are continuing to make improvements in each index.
Five Healthy Lifestyle Habits
- Exercise: Exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, at least two times per week, for at least one year
- Sleep: Fall asleep easily, sleep regularly, sleep for extended periods, and feel no sleepiness during the day to maintain good physical and mental condition
- Diet: Eat breakfast every day, whether or not one snacks, and awareness of nutritional balance and caloric intake
- No smoking: Daily smoking status (including electronic and heated cigarettes)
- Drinking: Drink no more than four days per week
Based on the results of health checkups and medical interviews, we set three areas—rest (sleep), diet, and exercise—as priority issues. Healthcare professionals at each site take the lead in implementing various activities to support independent action by employees.
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| Item | Activity |
|---|---|
| Exercise |
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| Sleep |
|
| Diet |
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| Smoking |
Activities covering all domestic Group companies
Activities at individual sites
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| Information dissemination and education |
Activities covering all domestic Group companies
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Measures concerning Mental Health
Mental health measures are becoming an increasingly important factor for responding to changes in work styles, such as diversification of work locations and hours. We are conducting stress checks simultaneously across Olympus Corporation and domestic Group companies so that employees can understand their own mental health status and utilize this information to create workplaces with high psychological safety. The participation rate is approximately 90%, about the same level as in previous years. We also reliably conducted interviews for high-stress individuals.
In addition, we conduct a wide range of activities including preventive measures through self-care seminars and line care training, counseling by specialists and external organizations for employees experiencing difficulties, and return-to-work support for employees on leave.
| Self-care |
Mental health education ・Implementation of self-care e-learning seminars for all employees ・Implementation of online mindfulness seminars ・Implementation of self-care seminars by medical professionals for new employees |
|---|---|
| Line care |
Administrators education/support ・Implementation (online/in-person) of mental health seminars for administrators by rank ・Implementation (by video) of mental health seminars for all classes of employees ・Implementation of mental health seminars for new employees by rank |
| Care by industrial health care personnel at business sites |
Consultation services/return to work support ・Industrial physicians and medical professionals stationed at each site are available for consultation by employees and administrators. Interview with new employees ・Implementation of one-on-one interviews with all new employees and mid-career hires to support their education and understand their circumstances Workplace status check Questionnaires (biannual) are conducted to determine any concerns at the workplace amongst manager-class employees, including mental health concerns. Strategies are implemented as needed based on these results. |
| Care provided by resources outside the business site |
External psychologists, etc. ・Implementation of counseling by external psychologists by individual case ・Implementation of education seminars by external psychologists Establishment of external consultation services ・Establishment of external services for consultation on health |
Support for Treatment and Continuing to Work
At Olympus, we emphasize the prevention of diseases and serious illnesses through each of our health management and promotion initiatives. At the same time, we promote proactive support measures for those who are recovering from illnesses from the perspective of helping them achieve a balance between their treatment and work, and create an environment in which employees can engage in their work in peace of mind. Specifically, industrial physicians and nurses permanently stationed at each site compile concrete assistance plans from recuperation to return to work for employees in need of medical treatment, making full use of paid leave, flextime, work-at-home, and other systems. To provide greater employee assistance, a special leave program was introduced in April 2020 for employees suffering from a disease for which the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare recommends support.
Women’s Specific Health Support
We are promoting support activities to address women’s specific health issues. Since 2022, we have held online seminars conducted by external lecturers (physicians) and received high evaluations from participants each time. We will continue to actively take measures with a focus on women’s health issues.
Details of program conducted in FY2025
Topic: Balancing Menstrual and Gynecological Disorders with Work
Participants in live stream: 45 (the seminar was also distributed on-demand after the live stream) * 91% of the participants responded that they were satisfied with the content of the seminar.
Health Support for Expatriate Employees
As of the end of FY2025, there are approximately 150 Japanese expatriate employees stationed at our overseas sites.
Industrial physicians, health care personnel and nurses are assigned to provide consultation on everyday matters of health, in addition to counseling before departure and on return to Japan as health support for expatriate employees. This initiative includes support for both expatriate employees and their families.
In addition to the statutory health examinations for expatriate employees required on departure and return to Japan, employees can undergo physical examinations (for the items covered in the comprehensive medical examination) during temporary returns to Japan. We are thus working to ensure that physical examinations are taken, as well as to enhance post-medical examination measures based on the results of examinations.
Further, industrial physicians are dispatched on a regular basis to overseas subsidiaries to upgrade the quality of health management for expatriate employees.
Action on Infectious Diseases
In addition to general precautionary measures, we have developed our own in-house guidelines to combat infectious diseases and implement appropriate measures aligned to the needs of particular work duties.
- Implementation of Hepatitis B antigen/antibody tests and vaccinations for all employees who visit medical institutions in the line of their work duties
- Education on preventing infectious diseases
- Drafting of vaccination guidelines and implementation of vaccinations for expatriate employees, their families, and those undertaking business trips
- Partial coverage of expenses for influenza vaccination
Support for Stakeholders
Employee families
We believe that the health of employee families is an important factor that enables employees to work enthusiastically. For this reason, the health insurance association covers the cost when dependents undergo health examinations and cancer screenings. We also provide health examinations and vaccinations for family members who accompany employees on overseas assignments as well as health support during the term of the assignment.
External business partners
We recognize that the health of workers is important for creating better products and services, and we conduct surveys on the status of health promotion activities among our business partners with the aim of encouraging them to conduct such activities. We also regularly hold first-aid training sessions for external service providers.
External Certification
Survey on Health and Productivity Management and Certified Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organization (White 500) Certification
The Olympus Health Declaration was established by the Olympus Group in April 2018. Through collaboration with our health insurance association, we clarified our management policy in support of the health maintenance and improvement for our employees and their families. Since then, we have reviewed and bolstered implementation systems for health support as we delineate any health issues that may occur with employees in the Olympus Group. We actively implement various health strategies and lifestyle improvement strategies, in accordance with changes in work environment and work styles. In addition to verifying outcomes of individual strategies, we determine assessment indices for overall health management. This information is meticulously uploaded on the Olympus Group Company Website.
We have been named a Certified Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organization (White 500) for nine years in a row starting in 2017.
Our affiliated companies Olympus Marketing and Aizu Olympus Corporation were at the same time recognized as Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations.
Olympus
Olympus Marketing
Aizu Olympus Corporation
- Olympus Certified as a 2025 White 500 Company for Outstanding Health and Productivity Management
- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program (Only in Japanese)
- Survey on Health and Productivity Management Results (precision machines and other products (Only in Japanese)
Olympus Receives 2024 Corporate Action Program for Promoting Cancer Prevention
Olympus Corporation received the 2024 Corporate Action Program for Promoting Cancer Prevention from Corporate Action Program for Promoting Cancer Prevention, a Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare commissioned project that encourages cancer control measures in workplaces with participation by approximately 5,500 companies and organizations nationwide. This award is presented to recognize companies that have contributed to improving employee health awareness and workplace environments through cancer-related information provision and health promotion initiatives. The Company was recognized for contributing to improved health awareness by employees through initiatives such as making almost all cancer screenings free of charge, establishing support systems for balancing treatment and work including special leave for employees receiving cancer and other treatments, and conducting e-learning about cancer screening for all employees.
Sports Yell Company Certification
Olympus has been certified as a Sports Yell Company for five consecutive years by the Japan Sports Agency for being a company that works positively on the promotion and support of sports activities to promote the health of employees. In particular, its initiatives considerate of employee health such as working on eliminating the lack of exercise due to the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated highly. Further, our affiliated company Olympus Marketing was also awarded Sports Yell Company certification for second consecutive years.
Olympus Certified as a 2025 Sports Yell Company by the Japan Sports Agency
Activity Results
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| Category | Contents | Outcomes | Target | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit | FY2024 | FY2025 | FY2028 | ||||
| Absenteeism*1 | Days per person/year | 1.05 | 1.53 | ＜２ | |||
| Presenteeism*2 | ％ | 7.4 | 7.5 | ＜５ | |||
| Checkup & Care | Regular physical exams and follow-ups | Rate of taking medical examinations (excluding long-term absentees) | ％ | 100 | 100 | Improve from the previous year | |
| Rate of employees in whom health issues were detected | Blood pressure | ％ | 16.1 | 16.5 | ＜12 | ||
| Blood lipids | ％ | 28.4 | 28.7 | ＜25 | |||
| Blood sugar | ％ | 6.9 | 6.7 | ＜５ | |||
| Rate of follow-up interviews | ％ | 22.0 | 17.8 | Improve from the previous year | |||
| Rate of implementation of follow-up interviews | ％ | 99.6 | 99.1 | Improve from the previous year | |||
| Cancer screening | Stomach cancer | ％ | 85.5 | 85.7 | 90＜ | ||
| Colorectal cancer | ％ | 82.5 | 82.5 | 90＜ | |||
| Breast cancer | ％ | 82.9 | 84.0 | 75＜ | |||
| Uterine cancer | ％ | 78.0 | 78.8 | 72＜ | |||
| Creating Healthy Habits | Average number with five healthy habits*3 | 個 | 3.4 | 3.4 | ４＜ | ||
| Mental health | Stress checks | Rate of taking of stress checks | ％ | 91.6 | 88.9 | Improve from the previous year | |
| Rate of employees with high stress | ％ | 15.3 | 17.1 | ＜12 | |||
| Rate of employees wishing to avail of consultations who underwent consultation | ％ | 100 | 100 | ― | |||
| Rate change compared to previous year on health care expenditures per employee | ％ | +5.1 | +7.2 | Improve from the previous year | |||
*1 Total yearly average for all employees of absences from non-occupational injuries or accidents
*2 Rate of self-evaluations of 69% or lower from surveys using University of Tokyo Single-Item Presenteeism Question (0-100%)
*3 Five healthy lifestyle habits: Number of people who have good habits concerning exercise, sleep, diet, smoking cessation, and drinking