Top mark for persistent absences in Thuringia set

Top mark for persistent absences in Thuringia set

In a recent statement, Marcus Kaiser, the head of DAK Health in Thuringia, raised concerns about the high sick leave rate in the state, calling it a wake-up call for the local economy. According to Kaiser, the majority of absences in 2022 were due to respiratory diseases such as colds and bronchitis, with these three diagnosis groups accounting for more than half (51 percent) of all absences.

DAK-Gesundheit, one of the largest health insurers in Germany, covered around 130,000 people in Thuringia. The data for the absenteeism analysis was evaluated by the Berlin-based IGES Institute.

The sick leave rate in Thuringia reached 6.6 percent in 2022, the highest since the start of the analyses in 1997. This is 1.1 percentage points above the national average of 5.5 percent. Employees in Thuringia were absent for an average of nearly 24 days, about 5.3 days more than the average sick leave days in 2021.

Corona-related sick leave increased significantly from 55 in 2021 to 153 in 2022. Mental illnesses saw a slight increase, from 275 to 290 days per 100 insured persons. There was a slight decrease in absences due to musculoskeletal diseases, from 448 to 437 days per 100 insured persons.

The incidence of respiratory diseases increased significantly (+129 percent) in 2022. Absences due to respiratory diseases increased significantly from 220 in 2021 to 505 in 2022. The electronic submission of sick notes has led to the inclusion of previously unreported illnesses in the statistics.

Kaiser emphasized that the high sick leave rate exacerbates the growing shortage of personnel and skilled workers. He urged employees to protect themselves and be protected at work, and highlighted health in the workplace as a top priority for 2023. Kaiser also urged for a thorough investigation to determine the contributing factors to this increase in sick leave rates.

While general knowledge suggests that the increase in sick leave rates in Germany in 2022, including regions like Thuringia, has been attributed to several factors such as residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased incidence of respiratory illnesses (including RSV and influenza), and mental health challenges due to the prolonged pandemic stress and social changes, specific details about DAK Health’s 2022 Thuringia data would need to be confirmed from authoritative health insurance reports or official DAK statements.

1. The head of DAK Health, Marcus Kaiser, expressed concerns about the high sick leave rate in Thuringia, considering it a warning sign for the local economy.
2. In 2022, respiratory diseases like colds and bronchitis were the primary causes of sick leaves, accounting for over half (51 percent) of all absences.
3. DAK-Gesundheit, a prominent health insurer in Germany, catered to approximately 130,000 individuals in Thuringia.
4. The absenteeism analysis was conduced by the IGES Institute, based in Berlin.
5. The sick leave rate in Thuringia in 2022 was 6.6 percent, the highest since records began in 1997.
6. This rate is 1.1 percentage points above the national average of 5.5 percent.
7. Employees in Thuringia averagely took nearly 24 days off, 5.3 days more than the average sick leave days in 2021.
8. Corona-related sick leaves increased considerably from 55 in 2021 to 153 in 2022.
9. Mental illnesses saw a slight rise, from 275 to 290 days per 100 insured persons.
10. Absences due to musculoskeletal diseases slightly decreased, from 448 to 437 days per 100 insured persons.
11. The incidence of respiratory diseases increased significantly (+129 percent) in 2022.
12. Absences due to respiratory diseases surge significantly from 220 in 2021 to 505 in 2022.
13. The electronic submission of sick notes has led to the recognition of previously unreported illnesses in the statistics.
14. Kaiser highlighted that the high sick leave rate exacerbates the existing labor shortage and skilled worker shortage.
15. He urged employees to prioritize self-protection and workplace safety and identified health in the workplace as a top priority for 2023.
16. Kaiser also called for a comprehensive investigation to identify the factors contributing to the increase in sick leave rates.
17. The increase in sick leave rates in Germany, including regions like Thuringia, is often linked to several factors, such as COVID-19 residual effects, increased respiratory illnesses, and mental health issues resulting from prolonged pandemic stress and social changes.
18. However, specific details about DAK Health’s 2022 Thuringia data need to be confirmed from authoritative health insurance reports or official DAK statements.
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