persistent cold weather contributing significantly to increased employee absences
Germany Experiences High Employee Absenteeism Due to Respiratory Illnesses
Hamburg, Germany - The beginning of the year has seen a significant increase in employee absenteeism in Germany, with respiratory illnesses forming the majority of missed workdays. According to DAK-Health, the first quarter of 2025 witnessed a 24% surge in sick days taken due to respiratory problems compared to the same period in 2024.
In total, a quarter more sick days were taken by employees in the first three months of 2025 than in 2024, although other illness groups showed minor improvements. The overall absentee rate among DAK-insured employees reached 6.0 percent, a slight increase from the previous year's rate of 5.5 percent.
Almost 40 percent of employees had at least one sick note during this period, with respiratory illnesses such as colds and bronchitis causing around 158 sick days per 100 DAK-insured employees—31 days more than in the first quarter of 2024.
DAK board chairman Andreas Storm expressed concern over these figures, stating, "We cannot give the all-clear on absenteeism. Employee absenteeism remains at a high level. We need a thorough and serious debate about the causes, because given the ongoing economic weakness in Germany, employee absenteeism has a particular significance."
While the reasons for the increased respiratory illness-related absenteeism are multifaceted, contributing factors include lingering effects from COVID-19 and the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD. The healthcare and biotech sectors in Germany have also faced workforce adjustments, which may indirectly impact absenteeism by creating additional stressors and operational disruptions.
Health systems in Germany are implementing measures to address these issues, such as vigilant monitoring of adverse events related to respiratory medications and post-COVID care programs aimed at supporting the recovery and returning to work of affected employees. Additionally, policy and environment interventions addressing air quality and exposure to pollutants have begun to help reduce the respiratory illness burden.
Despite these efforts, the high levels of employee absenteeism due to respiratory illnesses in Germany present a sizable challenge that requires ongoing focus and attention.
- The surge in sick days taken due to respiratory problems in Germany has highlighted the need for workplace-wellness programs that focus on health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health.
- In the ongoing debate about Germany's high employee absenteeism rate, the role of nutrition in maintaining a strong immune system and preventing respiratory illnesses should not be overlooked.
- Considering the impact of employee absenteeism on Germany's economy, it's crucial to invest in comprehensive health-and-wellness programs that address various factors contributing to respiratory sicknesses in the workplace.
