MBSR course at work: stress reduction through mindfulness
An MBSR course is a ready-made programme: eight weeks, one session per week, led by a trained course leader. The company provides the room and the time, the professionals bring the course. This makes it a good entry into the stress field of action if you want more than a single talk.
What happens in an MBSR course?
MBSR stands for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn. In eight weekly sessions, participants practise noticing tension earlier and not reacting to it automatically: sitting, lying down, in calm movement. In between, they practise at home. Participants should attend all sessions if possible; this belongs in the announcement.
How do you find a good course leader?
Ask about their MBSR training and whether the course is certified by the Central Prevention Testing Office (Zentrale Prüfstelle Prävention, ZPP) as a prevention course under § 20 SGB V (German law). With a certificate, the course counts as a recognised prevention course. You will find course leaders in the marketplace or via your health insurance fund.
What does it cost?
The course leader invoices the course; you provide the room and the time. If the employer pays for a certified course in addition to wages, this can be tax-free (§ 3 Nr. 34 EStG, German law; allowance of up to €600 per person per year). Only your tax adviser can confirm this.
How do you put the measure in place?
- 1Find a course leader with MBSR training and ask for the certificate of the Central Prevention Testing Office (Zentrale Prüfstelle Prävention, ZPP)
- 2Set the date, room and participation (working time or free time)
- 3Announce the course and collect registrations – usually 8 to 15 people
- 4After the course, ask anonymously how well the exercises carry over into everyday life
Plan, invite, measure participation: EasyWHP, which offers WHPCompass free of charge, sets this measure up as a project, invites the workforce and shows how many people take part. How a measure runs in EasyWHP →
What do you need for it?
- Effort
- half a day
- Cost
- with budget
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Setup
- 180 min
- ✓ A well-known, clearly structured course programme
- ✓ A qualified external course leader
- ✓ Course at the workplace: no extra journey
- ✓ With a certificate, a recognised prevention course under § 20 SGB V (German law)
Tax and health insurance: what is possible
Employer health benefits can be tax-free under § 3 no. 34 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG) up to €600 per employee per year — if they are provided in addition to the salary already owed and are either certified (§ 20 SGB V) or implemented within the company's health promotion process. Gym memberships and corporate fitness are not covered. For ZPP-certified courses (e.g. from Upfit), German statutory health insurers can reimburse all or part of the course fee to their insured members — then only the amount exceeding that reimbursement is tax-free. Projects within the company can be funded under § 20b SGB V, with no entitlement. Only your tax adviser can confirm the tax exemption.
Health insurance and tax: how to proceed →How it works in EasyWHP
This Best Practice in EasyWHP: adopt it, adapt it, measure the effect
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Stress & Mental Health →A fitting occasion
Related Best Practices
Not sure where to start? Self-check in approx. 7 minutes →