German Experts Warn Against Longer Workdays as Mental Disorders Drive 42% of Disability Pensions

Over 200 specialists gathered in Berlin on Monday for the 11th Präventionsforum to examine psychological well-being in modern workplaces. The numbers are stark: mental disorders accounted for 16.7 percent of all sick leave days in 2024, and they were the leading cause of disability pensions at 42 percent.

Digitalisation came under the spotlight as both a threat and an opportunity. The debate zeroed in on "Technostress" – a term describing the strain caused by constant connectivity and digital overload.

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Eight-Hour Day Under Fire – and Defended

Alongside the forum, the AOP-GA initiative issued a sharp warning against planned relaxations of Germany's Arbeitszeitgesetz (Working Hours Act). The participating medical and occupational health societies categorically reject any move away from the eight-hour day or an expansion of daily working hours. Such changes, they argue, contradict current research and would worsen psychological strain. Instead, the experts call for stronger preventive measures and workplace design that actively promotes health.

Regional Training Initiatives Gain Momentum

Several projects launched in recent days aim to shore up the skilled-worker pipeline. In the district of Konstanz, a joint postgraduate training programme for general medicine began Monday. The goal is to give doctors in training more planning security and to tie them to the region long-term.

The Magdeburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Magdeburg) is also responding to the trend: it announced an online workshop for Friday on mental health in everyday apprenticeship. The session targets training supervisors and covers communication skills and early intervention offers. Dresden’s municipal hospital (Städtisches Klinikum Dresden) is expanding its programme as well – with courses on time management and academic writing starting at the end of June, followed by modules on resilience and AI in vocational training.

In Switzerland, the SME ALPN, which specialises in occupational safety and health protection (ASGS), reported 51 successful graduates from its specialist ASGS training programme last year. A new course for experts is already being prepared.

Safety Training Moves from Theory to Practice

Operational safety remains a priority beyond strategic topics. The Berufsgenossenschaft Holz und Metall (BGHM) will again offer free basic seminars for business owners with up to 50 employees in Saarbrücken from 1 July through December.

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On Thursday, an event in Moers focused on IT security in hospitals. The emphasis was on legal requirements such as the Patientendaten-Schutzgesetz (Patient Data Protection Act) and risk management. Friday brings a practical training day in Aerzen for tactical emergency medicine – police, fire department and rescue services will practise treating blast and gunshot wounds.

Summer Heat Puts UV Protection on the Agenda

With temperatures rising, occupational physician Prof. Dr. Katharina Larisch from BG prevent highlighted the need for sun protection at work. UV radiation is a serious health risk, and companies must implement appropriate protective measures for outdoor employees. BG prevent, a service provider for statutory accident insurance, says it supports more than 210,000 businesses across Germany with over 3,700 experts at 150 locations.

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