The escalating rate of sick leave attributed to mental health conditions is triggering alarm within Germany’s largest labor federation, the Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB). Data released in the 2025 AOK Absence Report paints a stark picture of a workforce increasingly burdened by psychological distress, a trend the DGB is branding as a critical warning sign demanding immediate action from employers.
Anja Piel, a DGB executive board member, voiced her concerns to the “Rheinische Post”, emphasizing the urgent need for companies to acknowledge and address the systemic factors contributing to this rise. Years of sustained pressure, characterized by relentless workloads, acute time constraints and intensified job density, are demonstrably taking a toll on employees.
While legal obligations mandate that employers assess and mitigate psychological risks in the workplace, the DGB contends that implementation remains woefully inadequate. Piel’s criticism directly questions the seriousness with which many companies are treating their responsibilities, accusing them of failing to effectively safeguard employee wellbeing.
The federation is now calling for a significant strengthening of oversight and a more rigorous enforcement of existing labor protection regulations. The DGB argues that such measures are vital to fostering a healthier and more sustainable work environment, rather than merely reacting to the consequences of persistent neglect. This call for increased scrutiny potentially foreshadows a future push for legislative amendments and a more proactive role for labor inspectorates in addressing workplace mental health risks.
