Half of the employees were already sick once in 2023
01.08.2023 13:13
In the first half of 2023, there were an unusually high number of absences from work due to illness in Germany. Half of the employees had already had at least one sick note by the end of June. Such a high rate (50.1 percent) is usually only achieved at the end of a year. The number of cases rose by 61 percent compared to the same period last year. On average, employees were absent from work for almost ten days while on sick leave from January through June. This is shown by a current analysis by DAK-Gesundheit.
Overall, the sickness rate is 5.5 percent, significantly higher than in the same period last year (2022: 4.4 percent). It is the highest value that the fund has measured for its 2.4 million employed insured persons since the start of the half-year analyzes in 2013. In an industry comparison, the staff shortage occupations of geriatric care and daycare are at the top of the statistics.
Loss of work due to illness is particularly high in professions with a shortage of staff
The analysis shows that absence from work due to illness is particularly high in professions with a shortage of staff. Employees in non-medical health professions, such as geriatric care, had a particularly high number of absences in the first half of 2023. Here the sickness rate was 7.4 percent. This means that 74 out of 1,000 employees in these professions were on sick leave on each day of the first half of the year. Even in the area of daycare care, which is characterized by a lack of staff, the sickness rate was well above average at 7.1 percent.
“Our analysis with new record values shows that employee sickness is an important issue for companies and businesses even after the end of the pandemic,” says Andreas Storm, CEO of DAK-Gesundheit. “Here we have to pay particular attention to professional groups with a staff shortage because stress and overtime can increase sickness rates. This threatens to create a vicious circle that must be broken.” Storm reiterates his call for a round table on the issue of skilled workers and health with the participation of politicians, social partners and health insurance companies. It is a task for society as a whole to protect the health of employees and at the same time to ensure the long-term economic performance of companies.
Respiratory diseases at the top
Respiratory diseases were more important for employee absences in the first half of 2023 than any other type of illness. The number of sick notes due to coughs, colds and other infections almost doubled - from 17.2 to 34.1 per 100 employees. Sick notes due to musculoskeletal and mental illnesses were also significantly more common than in the previous six months (59 and 60 percent higher case numbers, respectively).
DAK-Gesundheit explains the increase for a number of reasons: On the one hand, there was a catch-up of infections and immunizations after the end of the pandemic. On the other hand, there was an increased awareness among the workforce that it would be better to stay away from work if they had a potentially contagious illness. The new electronic reporting procedure also plays a role, as it ensures that sick notes are automatically and reliably included in the health insurance companies' statistics.
When it comes to work, the health dimension cannot be ignored
“The high level of sickness in the first half of 2023 makes it clear that the health dimension cannot be ignored when it comes to work,” emphasizes Andreas Storm. “Companies and businesses in Germany should, in their own interest, pay greater attention to the health protection of their employees and invest additional resources in company health management.” DAK-Gesundheit helps companies maintain and strengthen the health of their employees.