BGF vs. BGM
What is the difference between BGF and BGM?
Note: based on German law. BGF (workplace health promotion) means individual, mostly voluntary measures like a fruit basket or company run. BGM (workplace health management) is the systematic process of analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation, which includes BGF as one of three pillars.
BGF: individual measures with good intentions
Workplace health promotion (BGF) covers individual, mostly voluntary health-promotion offerings: a fruit basket, company run, yoga class, back-care course. BGF is a good and often the first step — but without a systematic framework, it stays a set of isolated actions with no measurable impact or connection to one another.
BGM: the systematic framework over all measures
Workplace health management (BGM) is the overarching, systematic process: analyzing the current state (e.g., sick-leave rate, risk assessment), planning suitable measures, implementing them, and then evaluating their impact. BGM answers not just "what are we doing" but "why are we doing it, and does it work."
BGM consists of three pillars: occupational health and safety (mandatory), workplace reintegration management/BEM (mandatory), and workplace health promotion/BGF (voluntary). BGF is therefore part of BGM — not a substitute for it.
Why the distinction matters in practice
A company can run plenty of BGF (fruit basket, sports offerings) and still violate its legal obligations if the two mandatory pillars — risk assessment and BEM — are missing. Conversely, a company that covers only the mandatory pillars formally meets all legal requirements, but forgoes the gains in employee retention and reduced sick leave that BGF would deliver.
Key takeaways
- Note: based on German law. BGF = individual, voluntary measures. BGM = a systematic process with BGF as one of three pillars
- BGM pillars: occupational safety (mandatory), BEM (mandatory), BGF (voluntary)
- Extensive BGF does not replace the legally mandatory pillars
- BGF is a good, commonly used entry point into systematic BGM
Frequently asked questions
Is a fruit basket enough to call it BGM?+
No. A fruit basket is a single BGF measure. BGM requires a systematic process with analysis, planning, and results tracking — plus the two legally mandatory pillars, occupational safety and BEM.
Is BGF legally required?+
No, BGF is voluntary. Only occupational health and safety (including risk assessment) and BEM are mandatory. Under German law, statutory health insurers are nonetheless required to financially support BGF measures (Section 20b SGB V).
Can we start with BGF alone and expand into BGM later?+
Yes, that's the common and sensible path. It's important not to neglect the two mandatory pillars (risk assessment, BEM) along the way — under German law, they are mandatory from the very first employee, independent of any BGF expansion.
From fruit basket to systematic BGM
EasyBGM structures analysis, measures, and results tracking — all three BGM pillars in one place.
Sources
Last updated: 2026-07-06. Not legal or tax advice — have your specific case reviewed by a professional.