Vitality
Fresh fruit is always available at all our locations, and we organize weekly boot camp training sessions in Nijkerk, which employees from all sites can actively participate in. In 2024, various activities were organized in Gorinchem, such as boot camp and a football tournament. In addition, we encourage our employees to participate in various sporting events. These include a running race in Nijkerk with different distances, a cycling tour for the climate, and several skating clinics.
In 2023, Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods became a proud sponsor of Dutch speed skating. For the 2025–2026 season, Vreugdenhil will be co-main sponsor of the marathon skating teams of Okay – Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods. This includes the men and women in the top division, as well as the men in the talent division. Sports give energy, and shared sports experiences foster connection. Vitality and a healthy working environment are high priorities at Vreugdenhil. In this way, we aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and create a positive working environment where vitality is central.
Sickness Absence
What we see throughout the Netherlands, and also within the dairy industry, is that in recent years sickness absence has been significantly higher than in the past. Unfortunately, this trend is also noticeable at Vreugdenhil. However, sickness absence has decreased from 6.1% in 2023 to 5.7%. This places us below the CBS annual figure for the food industry, which is 5.9%. Our goal remains to stay 1% below the average sickness absence in the Dutch industry.
Preventive Medical Examination
Every two years, we conduct an employee satisfaction survey (MTO) or a preventive medical examination (PMO). Based on the results of a previously conducted PMO (Preventive Medical Examination), it was determined in coordination with the Works Council (COR) which themes should be addressed through employee workshops. A survey was then conducted at various locations to ask employees which workshops they were interested in. As a result, various workshops were held in 2024, including healthy eating and quitting smoking. At the beginning of 2025, workshops such as “From Work Pressure to Work Happiness” and “Sleep and Relaxation” were added.