A recent health report by DAK reveals that approximately one in four employees in Germany experiences intergenerational conflict in the workplace. The report, “Gen Z in the Workforce” highlights tensions primarily occurring within healthcare and education sectors.
Younger employees, particularly those belonging to Generation Z (born between 1995 and 1010), are disproportionately affected. 28% of Gen Z report experiencing these intergenerational conflicts, compared to a 23% average across all employees. A significant portion – 25% of Gen Z experiencing conflict – describe the impact as substantial or very substantial. This demographic represents roughly one-fifth of Germany’s 43 million working individuals, making their integration and wellbeing increasingly crucial for businesses and authorities.
The report indicates that a pattern emerges where young employees find themselves in older teams, creating a minority dynamic that amplifies these conflicts. A concerning 44% of younger individuals within older teams report encountering tensions, with 16% citing frequent or very frequent occurrences.
Conversely, employees who avoid these intergenerational clashes demonstrate higher levels of job satisfaction. Nearly a third express complete satisfaction, a figure significantly higher than the one-fifth observed in those experiencing conflict. Overall, current job satisfaction among those under 30 stands at 26%, a notable decline from a previous measurement of 43%. Young employees frequently express concerns about workplace climate, professional development opportunities and health and safety provisions.
Data from 2024 shows a sick leave rate of 4.7% among those under 30, a decrease compared to the overall DAK-insured workforce’s rate of 5.4%. While younger employees experience more frequent instances of illness (42% more cases), their average sick leave duration tends to be shorter. However, there’s a reported rise in presenteeism – working while sick.
More than half (65%) of the youngest demographic admits to working while sick, at least once in the past year, mirroring the overall figure of 62%. Concerns about impacting team operations and fear of negative repercussions for frequent sick leave are leading drivers for this behavior.
Analysis reveals distinct trends in the types of absences. Younger workers experience markedly more respiratory illness days (95 more days per 100 employees) and fewer musculoskeletal issues (a decrease of 166 days per 100 employees). Importantly, work-related psychological distress plays a more prominent role amongst Gen Z, with over a quarter (26%) reporting symptoms of depression, such as sadness or loss of interest, within the last two weeks.
