In most cases, social security institutions are not legally required to become involved in workplace health promotion (WHP). However, there are a number of compelling reasons to do so, including the following.

The European Network for Workplace Health Promotion (ENWHP) defines workplace health promotion (WHP) as “the combined efforts of employers, employees and society to improve the health and well-being of people at work”.

The information contained in these guidelines will provide social security institutions with a framework for action. In essence, they are a “how to” manual for developing and implementing sustainable, needs-based workplace health promotion (WHP) programmes in client organizations, be they private or public sector enterprises, agencies or organizations. The processes and procedures described are based on established good practice.

Guidance focuses on two key areas:

This set of guidelines has been developed to help social security institutions support and assist their “clients” – public and private sector enterprises and organizations – to develop comprehensive workplace health promotion (WHP) programmes.

The ISSA Guidelines for Social Security Administration were prepared by the ISSA General Secretariat with the ISSA technical commissions.

The institution believes that service quality has no end point but can always be improved.

In all sectors of the economy, service standards are constantly improving. Social security institutions will need to respond as people demand levels of service comparable to those they receive elsewhere.

To improve service quality, the institution invests in the skills and capability of the staff who deliver its services.

The institution measures and publishes performance against its service standards and uses this data to predict future demand for services.

This produces organizational transparency, which helps lead to sustained improvement.

The institution treats people with respect, dignity and courtesy.

This is achieved through a set of standard operating principles consistent with social norms. Treating people with respect, dignity and courtesy is a quality factor fundamental to excellent service delivery. While the institution will not necessarily be praised for this, it is what people expect as the basic component of quality service. Failure to meet this standard leaves the administration open to public criticism and loss of confidence and trust.