By Birgit Buerkner
Fewer colleagues, more work: the lack of staff is increasingly leading to mental and physical complaints among employees in Berlin. In professional groups that are particularly badly affected, sick leave is significantly higher.
Higher pressure, more tasks in less time – a situation that many employees know well. This is shown by the new DAK Health Report 2023.
According to the health insurance company, educators had the highest sick leave: On every day of the past year, out of 1000 DAK-insured persons, an average of 73 were on sick leave (elderly nurses: 71, drivers: 70, health workers: 63).
► 48 percent of the participants in a DAK online survey also stated that they regularly experience a shortage of staff in their own work area.
► 63 percent of those affected by staff shortages report severe deadline and performance pressure, 43 percent overtime. 30 percent do without breaks. 25 percent are afraid of not being able to complete their tasks. 42 percent think about work in their free time.
► 54 percent complain of tiredness and exhaustion, 41 percent feel physically knocked out, 38 percent suffer from sleep disorders, 20 percent from headaches.
“The lack of staff can increase sick leave due to stress and strain, which in turn leads to more days off and aggravates the situation,” warns Berlin’s DAK boss Volker Röttsches. “Work must be organized in such a way that employees have the chance to stay healthy even with a low staffing level.”