The number of illness cases among employees in Germany reached a record level in 2024. According to the AOK Federal Association, there were already 225 sick leave days per 100 insured individuals reported between January and August. This figure already matches the total number of illness cases recorded in the previous year, 2023. The high number of illness cases indicates a significant increase in the health burden on employees, particularly compared to the average of 160 illness cases per 100 insured individuals from 2014 to 2021. The rise in illness cases is a concerning sign for the health situation in the workplace, attributed to a variety of causes, including both physical and mental stress.
The largest share of absenteeism is again attributed to respiratory diseases. This group of illnesses is particularly prevalent during the winter months and leads to a high number of sick leave certificates. The most common respiratory diseases include colds, bronchitis, and influenza.The increase in illness cases is partly attributed to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the immune systems of many people are weakened and respiratory diseases are becoming more common. Respiratory diseases show a notable prevalence in certain industries, especially those that are subjected to increased physical labor and close working conditions.
In addition to respiratory diseases, mental illnesses are playing an increasingly significant role in sick leave. The burden of stress, pressure at work, and lack of work-life balance contributes to mental illnesses leading to more absences. According to AOK data, the number of sick leaves due to mental health issues rose by about 10% compared to the previous year. This development is concerning, as mental illnesses often involve lengthy treatment processes and longer periods of absence. Psychological strain particularly negatively affects sectors with high performance pressure and low flexibility, resulting in increased absenteeism.Employers are increasingly required to take measures to support the mental health of their employees to counteract this development.
Another important factor is the influence of seasonal flu waves, which have been particularly strong in the early months of 2024. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reports that the number of influenza cases this year was higher than in the past three years. This development has contributed to an overall increase in sickness-related absenteeism. The flu waves, especially in the months of January to March, led to a significant rise in sick leave, which has also affected efficiency and productivity in many companies. The sharp increase in influenza cases demonstrates how important preventive measures, such as flu vaccinations, can be in maintaining the workforce of employees.
The figures from AOK are based on data from around 27 million insured individuals in Germany and thus provide a comprehensive overview of the health status of the population. The average sickness rate in 2024 was 5.3%, meaning that on any given day, an average of 5.5% of employees were reported as incapacitated for work.In comparison, the absenteeism rate in 2023 was 4.8%. The increase in absenteeism is primarily attributed to the rise in respiratory diseases and the increase in mental health issues. The analysis shows that employees are increasingly taking longer sick leaves, which also indicates a prolonged recovery period from severe infections and mental health disorders.
Causes and Effects
The main causes for the rise in sickness cases can be traced back to several factors:
1. **COVID-19 Pandemic**: The aftereffects of the pandemic continue to negatively impact the immune systems of many individuals, making them more susceptible to infections. Additionally, the pandemic has increased the mental strain on many employees, as uncertainties and pressures associated with the pandemic continue to linger.
2. **Mental Strain**: The growing demands in the workplace and the lack of separation between work and private life lead to an increase in burnout and other mental health disorders. Many employees report feeling overwhelmed, which is exacerbated by insufficient support from employers. Particularly in sectors where high flexibility is required, employees suffer from ongoing stress.
3. **Seasonal Infection Waves**: Especially strong flu waves and other seasonal infections have led to an increase in absenteeism in 2024. These waves of infection particularly affect employees in jobs with a lot of customer contact, as the risk of transmission is higher in these roles.
The impacts of these developments are extensive. Companies are facing an increased number of sick leave reports, leading to production downtime and reduced efficiency. In the long run, increased healthcare costs are to be expected, as more measures for the treatment of mental and physical illnesses will be necessary.
Prevention Measures
To curb the rise in illness cases in the future, employers and health insurance companies are increasingly relying on prevention measures. These include:
- **Occupational Health Promotion**: Companies are increasingly offering programs to promote physical and mental health, such as yoga classes, stress management workshops, and ergonomic workplace design. Such measures are intended to promote the health of employees and reduce the number of illness cases in the long term. Occupational health promotion is an investment in the well-being of employees and thus also in the productivity of the company.
- **Vaccination Campaigns**: The Robert Koch Institute recommends increased willingness to vaccinate, particularly against influenza, to curb the spread of respiratory diseases. Companies partially support their employees through workplace vaccination campaigns to increase the vaccination rate. Flu vaccinations have proven to be an effective measure to reduce the illness rate during the winter months and thus also decrease absenteeism.
- **Home office and flexible working hours**: Many companies offer more flexible work models to reduce stress in the workplace and enable a better work-life balance. Home office has proven to be an effective means during the pandemic to minimize the risk of infection while maintaining productivity. Flexible working hours allow employees to better address their individual needs, contributing to a reduction in stress and associated health problems. Many employees report that flexible working hours have increased their satisfaction and well-being.
- **Psychosocial support**: Some companies now provide their employees access to psychological counseling and support to promote mental health. These measures are an important step in reducing the increasing number of sick leaves due to mental health issues. By offering support services, employers can strengthen the mental health of their employees and thus reduce the duration and frequency of absenteeism.
Sources
- AOK Federal Association: Health Report 2024 (available at www.aok.de)
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI): Report on the Flu Wave 2024 (available at www.rki.de)
- ZDFmediathek: Current news on illness cases in Germany
