Females face a higher risk of job loss compared to males
The Institute for Occupational Health Promotion (BGF Institute) of AOK Rhineland/Hamburg has released a health report that sheds light on the changing landscape of sickness patterns in the workforce. The report reveals a significant shift, with mental health disorders now being the leading cause of sick leave for both men and women in Germany.
Over the past 20 years, there has been a noticeable increase in sick leave due to mental health conditions. For women, psychiatric illnesses accounted for 17.3% of sick leave days in 2024, making them the most prevalent cause. Depressive episodes resulted in around 50% more sick leave days in women than in men in the same year.
Men, on the other hand, are most likely to miss work due to musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain, accounting for 21.3% of their sick leave days. However, the relative proportion of musculoskeletal problems has decreased compared to mental health issues.
The trend is consistent across age groups, with the sick leave rate increasing with age before leveling off at a similar high level (11.52% in men and 11.53% in women) over the age of 60. After age 60, men and women are absent from work equally often.
Sabine Deutscher, a member of the board of AOK Rhineland/Hamburg, attributes the higher sick leave rate in middle-aged women to hormonal changes during menopause, different living and working conditions, and the burden of private care work.
The report also highlights the growing importance of psychological well-being and stress-related conditions in the workforce. The AOK Rhineland/Hamburg health report supports companies in reducing workloads, preventing health risks, and sustainably strengthening the physical and mental health of employees.
Although mental health disorders are now the leading cause of sick leave, musculoskeletal disorders and some chronic physical illnesses remain important causes of work absence. However, they no longer hold the dominant position they once did.
This information aligns with AOK’s broader health insights into regional employee sickness patterns in Rhineland/Hamburg, underlining mental health as the leading and fastest growing cause of sick leave in men and women in Germany over the last two decades. The report emphasises the need for continued efforts to address mental health issues in the workplace and support the well-being of employees.
The AOK Rhineland/Hamburg health report underscores the rising significance of mental health issues in the workforce, with mental health disorders becoming the top cause of sick leave for women, accounting for 17.3% of sick leave days in 2024. Depressive episodes led to a higher rate of sick leave among women compared to men in the same year. Additionally, the report underscores the importance of health and wellness initiatives in the workplace, particularly focusing on mental health, as a means to prevent health risks and strengthen the overall well-being of employees.
