Mental Health Absences Hit 202 Days Per 100 Workers in Germany as New Workplace Support Portal Launches
Published on 07/30/2026 at 08:31 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A new digital platform aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses, hospitals, and care facilities tackle workplace health challenges has gone live in Germany. The Coordination Office for Workplace Health Promotion (BGF) launched the portal as a one-stop resource offering information materials, registration for professional events, and free initial consultations with health insurance advisors—available in person, by phone, or online.
For collaboration among participating organisations, a data-protected area called “BGF.intern” has been set up. Beyond the initial consultation, the system can refer cases to pension or accident insurance providers when needed.
The urgency of such initiatives is underscored by fresh sick-leave figures from North Rhine-Westphalia. In the first half of 2026, the sickness rate stood at 5.6 percent, based on data from roughly 385,000 insured individuals collected by the IGES Institute.
While respiratory illnesses dropped by 20 percent, mental health conditions surged by 9 percent. They have now become the leading driver of workplace absences: for every 100 employees, an average of 202 sick days were attributed to psychological strain.
Statutory health insurers have already responded. In 2024, they invested around 686 million euros in health promotion and prevention, reaching approximately 8.9 million people. Long-term care insurance increased its spending on prevention in residential facilities by 25 percent, to 25 million euros.
Another project got underway in spring 2025: AOK Bavaria and Allensbach University are developing a “Healthy Onboarding in Nursing” programme. Following a pilot phase in 2026, it is set for nationwide rollout from 2027, incorporating resilience training and sleep management.
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Court Ruling: Procedural Errors Can Invalidate Works Agreements
Separately, the Federal Labour Court has tightened the rules on works council procedures. A ruling from January 27, 2026 (case reference 1 AZR 147/24) made clear that a works agreement is void if it lacks a valid works council resolution.
In the specific case, this nullified a 2007 replacement agreement on company pension provision. The claimant will now receive a monthly company pension increase of roughly 422 euros. The court stressed that there is no apparent authority or implied consent for a works council chairperson to act. Courts must examine the validity of such agreements ex officio.
External consultancy is also tightly restricted. The Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Regional Labour Court ruled in late 2025 (case 5 TaBV 2/25) that external advisors may only be brought in for specific tasks and when a proven lack of in-house expertise exists. Blanket consulting or delegation of core responsibilities is not permitted.
First Works Council Elected After Three-Year Legal Battle
At Nutracorp, a dietary supplement manufacturer based in Elmshorn, the company elected its first works council on July 3, 2026. Turnout reached 60 percent, marking the end of a three-year legal dispute that went through five court instances, all the way to the Federal Labour Court.
The situation was different in the hotel sector. At the “Four Points by Sheraton” in Offenbach, works council chair Maria Angelika El Mahjoub was dismissed without notice. In an initial assessment, the Offenbach Labour Court deemed the dismissal invalid—the works council’s consent, as required under the Works Constitution Act, had not been obtained. A hearing is scheduled for late August.
At its activists’ conference in Schweinfurt on July 28, IG Metall issued demands for a solidarity-based long-term care insurance system and the preservation of the part-time work block model for older employees. The German Trade Union Federation (DGB) has called for a rally in Nuremberg on September 26.
Companies Seek Management Reinforcements
The growing complexity of corporate governance is also reflected in the labour market. Numerous companies are currently looking for support in management and process coordination.
As regulatory obligations grow more complex, ensuring your workplace meets the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 is non-negotiable. A free toolkit with 9 practical tools—including risk assessments, checklists, and a director's liability guide—helps UK businesses stay compliant and avoid costly penalties. Get the free Health & Safety at Work Act Toolkit
Job postings from digital logistics platform bex, engineering services firm Brüggen Engineering, and bakery chain Hoefer show strong demand for assistants and executive staff with commercial expertise, plus knowledge of labour law and project management. Flexible models such as home office and part-time work are increasingly gaining importance.
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