German Employers Face Soaring Mental Health Absences as New Workplace Health Laws Take Effect

Rising psychological illness is reshaping absenteeism in Germany. A DAK analysis shows the nationwide sick leave rate hit 5.7 percent in the first half of 2024, with mental-health-related absences surging 14.3 percent to 182 missed days per 100 insured employees. The trend is sharpening: the Techniker Krankenkasse reports an average of 17 sick days per worker for January through November 2025, compared with just 13 in 2021.

The burden varies dramatically by sector. Staff in nursing homes and elderly care facilities missed an average of 13.7 days, while IT professionals recorded only 6.6 days. A Pronova-BKK survey adds a worrying layer: 60 percent of employees admitted they had called in sick at least once despite being fit to work — a red flag for HR departments already stretched by labour shortages.

Rising absenteeism and tightening regulations make robust health and safety management more important than ever. But many employers lack the documented risk assessments and procedures that form the backbone of compliance. The free Health & Safety Toolkit from Health & Safety Adviser gives you instant access to ready-to-use templates, checklists, and toolbox talks that cover key UK regulations. Download the free Health & Safety Toolkit

Meanwhile, Germany’s healthcare economy has reached a record share of 14.6 percent of gross domestic product. That headline figure forms the backdrop of the 21st National Sector Conference on Healthcare Economics, which opened today in Rostock. Rising absenteeism and new regulatory mandates are pushing strategic health management to the top of corporate agendas.

Legislators have responded with concrete changes. On 29 May, the amended Section 22 of Book VII of Germany’s Social Code (SGB VII) took effect, tightening rules for workplace safety officers. The DGUV Barometer 2026 warns that companies must not neglect occupational safety during economically difficult times. Heat protection is another priority: on the national Heat Action Day (11 June), the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) advised employers to provide electrolyte drinks and cool down work environments.

Technical innovations also demand attention. A new fire-safety class — Class L for lithium-ion batteries — has been introduced under ISO 3941:2026, requiring updates to fire-protection plans. And since 1 June, the Carnet procedure for moving goods between the EU, Switzerland, the UK and Norway has gone fully digital, cutting red tape in international trade.

Retaining qualified staff is becoming a board-level priority. The nursing sector is a focal point: AOK Bavaria and Allensbach University have launched a pilot project for healthy onboarding of new care workers, scheduled to run through 2026, with nationwide rollout planned for 2027. At the Personaldienstleister (personnel service providers) conference on 23 June in Berlin, the agenda includes the new GVP collective bargaining framework, compliance, and tariff loyalty. GVP president Christian Baumann sees early signs of market recovery.

Later in June, the DAK will hold targeted information sessions on integrating foreign workers into the labour force and on company health management. For HR teams, the message is clear: failing to address mental-health absenteeism and regulatory changes risks both compliance and competitiveness.

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