Sick to work: Germans drift to the office!

Sick to work: Germans drift to the office!

Deutschland - In Germany, the phenomenon of presentism is widespread. According to a survey, which was carried out by the Bilendi market research institute on behalf of the Königstein group, over 55 percent of the employees state that they occasionally go to work, even if they feel uncomfortable or sick. A third of these respondents (33 percent) even do this frequently. The survey, in which 1073 employees participated, shows a terrifying picture of a sense of duty and team obligations that do many employees to this behavior. 65 percent of the respondents explain that they want to perform their professional tasks despite illness, while 64 percent feel committed to the team.

Although the pressure of employers is only called 8 percent as the reason for presentism, 12 percent of the respondents are afraid of negative career fittings in the event of a sick leave. The fear of losing the job also plays a role: 13 percent of the respondents share this concern. In addition, 25 percent admit that they have already reported sick without being really sick, which has more than once occurred in every tenth. It is noteworthy that 65 percent of the respondents have never made blue in the job. The survey was carried out in April 2025 and thus reveals a questionable reality in the German world of work.

consequences and costs of presentism

presentism not only has a health effect on the employees concerned, but also causes high costs for employers. Employees who work despite health problems often show loss of productivity, which not only harms their own health, but also the operating result. The Institute for Applied Health Research (Inqa) identifies numerous reasons for this behavior in a study. This includes a stronger result orientation, higher self -responsibility and the desire not to let colleagues down.

The effects of presentism are serious: the possible health consequences include permanent restrictions on performance, an increased risk of heart diseases and even mental illnesses such as depression and burnout. In addition, health problems such as seasonal allergies, slight headaches or serious illnesses such as flu can put a strain on those present. Employees who go to work despite illness can not only harm themselves, but also their work colleagues through an increased risk of infection, especially in times of epidemics such as Corona.

strategies to combat presentism

In order to combat the negative consequences of presentism, companies could introduce clearer guidelines in dealing with illnesses and actively treat the topic in employee surveys. A targeted actual analysis of the health situation in the company could help identify the causes of absenteeism and presentism and take suitable measures. The recording of loss of productivity is crucial to evaluate Return on Investment (ROI) in health management and to promote the health of employees in the long term.

In the current world of work, research into presentism is becoming increasingly important. Since younger employees and managers are particularly affected, it is essential to raise awareness of the risks and consequences of presentism. Presentism should not only be regarded as an individual decision, but also as a social and economic problem, which can be addressed by efficient management strategies. Weser-Kurier impressively describes the associated challenges and the need for changes.