Prolonged cold weather results in extensive employee absenteeism. - Harsh temperatures fuel increased employee absences
Elevated Employee Absenteeism Amidst Germany's Cold Wave
Germany experienced an uptick in employee absenteeism due to respiratory illnesses during the first quarter of 2025, as a result of the country's persistent cold wave. Compared to the same period in 2024, employees took an estimated 25% more sick days for respiratory conditions. Notably, other illness categories showed minimal declines, with these increases largely outweighing the reductions.
The overall sickness rate among DAK-insured workers stood at 6.0 percent for the first three months, marking a 0.1 percentage point increase from the previous year. Consequently, this translates to an average of 60 employees out of every 1,000 being absent on a daily basis between January and March.
According to the analysis conducted by DAK-Gesundheit on approximately 2.2 million employed insurees, around 40% of employees received at least one sick note. This percentage represents a slight increase compared to the previous year (38%).
Andreas Storm, CEO of DAK, expressed concerns about the ongoing high level of absenteeism, stating that "there is no sign of relief" for the sickness rate. He emphasized the importance of launching a comprehensive and serious debate addressing the root causes, as the unrelenting economic malaise in Germany further heightens the significance of this issue.
Respiratory illnesses such as the common cold and bronchitis led to roughly 158 sick days per 100 DAK-insured employees. This represents a 24% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024, with respiratory conditions accounting for 31 additional sick days.
The majority of sick days during the first quarter could be attributed to three main illness categories: respiratory issues, mental health concerns, and musculoskeletal complaints, such as back pain.
While the specific causes behind the rise in respiratory illness-related absenteeism in Germany remain under investigation, seasonal virus outbreaks during cold waves and the spread of pathogens in vulnerable populations, like certain homeless groups, appear to play significant roles.
Employers across Germany have felt the ripple effects of this heightened absenteeism, as respiratory conditions continue to be one of the leading causes of employee sick leave. Although explicit 2025 statistics have not been disclosed, respiratory infections serve as a common driver of sickness absence during colder seasons and periods of increased infection.
Strict dismissal regulations related to illness absences in Germany require employers to justify terminations if absences last beyond a certain duration, highlighting the considerable impact of respiratory illness-related absenteeism on business operations. Despite these challenges, employers must manage such absences carefully to mitigate both operational disruptions and potential economic difficulties.
- To address the increasing issue of employee absenteeism due to respiratory conditions in Germany, there is a need for a community policy that includes measures for workplace-wellness, such as providing information on prevention and management of medical-conditions like respiratory illnesses.
- Vocational training programs focusing on health-and-wellness, including fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and mental-health awareness, could potentially help employees develop habits and strategies to maintain good health, thereby reducing absenteeism.
- Employers might also consider offering vocational training on handling respiratory-conditions effectively in the workplace to minimize the impact of such illnesses on their employees' ability to work.
- Furthermore, understanding the science behind seasonal virus outbreaks during cold waves and the spread of pathogens in vulnerable populations could help in formulating effective strategies to combat these issues and maintain a healthy workforce.
