Sick days at a record high - mental illnesses are the main cause of absenteeism from work

Sick days at a record high - mental illnesses are the main cause of absenteeism from work

In addition to physical illnesses, mental illnesses also led to an increase in absenteeism from work last year. According to this year's AOK absenteeism report, sick days reached a new high. The health insurance company recorded 216.6 cases of sick leave for every 100 employed insured people in the period mentioned. This increase of more than 30 percent is largely due to respiratory illnesses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Days of absence due to mental illness also increased by 48 percent compared to 2012. Although the numbers fell slightly after the peak of the Corona period, they are still above pre-pandemic levels. The study by the AOK Scientific Institute shows that exhaustion, anger and listlessness are the most common complaints.

Burnout was officially recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization in 2022. It is the result of chronic work stress caused by time pressure, high workloads, staff shortages and a busy schedule. The disease manifests itself through restlessness, tension, difficulty concentrating, back pain and headaches, increased susceptibility to infections and sleep disorders. The physical and mental exhaustion increases to a constant state of exhaustion.

To prevent burnout, it is recommended to know and stick to personal boundaries, take regular breaks, rethink time management, hand over tasks and maintain a good work-life balance. Social contacts, exercise, adequate sleep and a healthy diet are also important.

Rising absenteeism is expected to impact the labor market and the financial sector. Employers may need to hire more employees to compensate for staff shortages and sick leave. The increasing number of mental illnesses also requires increased support and care for workers to ensure work productivity and well-being.

According to a report by www.merkur.de