RZ-100-wt4-E-flipbook-240702 - Flipbook - Page 152
Contribution to
improve health
‘Almost everyone considers their
When they find out that this isn’t possible in the
A working group is set up in 2019 to create
health to be important. So if you can
Netherlands, they decide to take matters into
a model for VitaSana. The intention is clear
help to improve health or prevent
their own hands. Then an opportunity presents
from the start: a company that offers regular,
disease, you are doing something that
itself when the director of Executive Health
preventative medical examinations to all
is really appreciated by employees.
Management (EHM), a company that conducts
employees of Rijk Zwaan and other externally
With VitaSana, we are making a
PMEs for CEOs and the top managers at multi-
affiliated companies. This social principle sets
substantial contribution to that.’
nationals, is planning to retire. However, Rijk
VitaSana apart from similar companies such
Ben Tax on VitaSana
Zwaan’s acquisition of EHM doesn’t go ahead in
as EHM. In fact, this is a fundamental aspect
the end. So the Board decides to set up its own
of VitaSana: companies that also want to use
health management project.
VitaSana are asked to allow all their employees
After holding exploratory talks with pulmono-
to access this service. This is a strict condition.
logist Dr Christian Melissant, who at the time
VitaSana’s PME is not just physically oriented but
is still working at the Spaarne Hospital in
also focuses on psychosocial aspects and vitality.
Hoofddorp and part-time at EHM, Rijk Zwaan
asks him to lead this new project.
Despite only being operational for 3 years,
VitaSana has grown significantly since then.
He grabs the opportunity with both hands. After
Fifteen other companies are currently affiliated
VitaSana is an initiative of the shareholders, and
working in a hospital for over thirty years, he is
in addition to Rijk Zwaan, and 29 employees are
it is enabling them to fulfil a long-held wish. The
ready for a new adventure. Last but not least, the
employed (part-time). There is still a need for
initiative is a great addition and contribution to
social approach envisioned by Rijk Zwaan appeals
further expansion. Soon VitaSana will be full; then
Rijk Zwaan’s people-centred approach.
to him. Finally, Dr Melissant is convinced of the
what? Consolidate, expand, annex? Christian
added value of preventative medical examinations
Melissant wants to have a broad discussion about
VitaSana is based in The Hague and has been
on a regular basis. VitaSana doesn’t just contribute
this first. Although VitaSana’s PME is currently
operational since 1 September 2020. VitaSana
to a healthier lifestyle by giving advice based on
only available to Rijk Zwaan’s Dutch employees,
offers all Rijk Zwaan employees regular, compre-
the results of the medical examination – in some
there are certainly some exceptional cases where
hensive preventative medical examinations
cases the examination even saves lives. Initially,
a colleague from a foreign subsidiary could go to
(PMEs), free of charge. This makes VitaSana the
around five percent of the people examined at
VitaSana for a sometimes life-saving medical
odd man out as the only subsidiary company not
VitaSana are found to have a serious condition
consultation, a second opinion or further medi-
involved in seeds and vegetable breeding. Yet
or disease. If detected at a later stage, these
ation for medical treatment. All in all, Melissant
VitaSana is perfectly consistent with Rijk Zwaan’s
conditions could have been much more difficult
thinks VitaSana can be – in company jargon – ‘a
distinctive people-focused human resources
to treat or could even have been life-threatening.
real seed’: an example that inspires like-minded
policy. Here, Rijk Zwaan goes further than other
The personal examinations are conducted on an
companies to offer regular (preventative) medical
Dutch companies. It is not unusual for executives
anonymous basis.
examinations to all levels in the organisation.
and managers of large companies to have the
option of free regular medical examinations at
private clinics. This was also the case at
Rijk Zwaan. But the Rijk Zwaan Board finds
this unacceptable and believes that these
examinations should be available to all
Rijk Zwaan employees!
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Rijk Zwaan | Moving forward together
