Nearly Half of German Workers Consider Quitting Over Mental Health Strains, Report Finds
Published on 06/23/2026 at 14:44 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The pressure is pushing people out the door. According to the Personio-Report 2026, 45 percent of employees in Germany are thinking about leaving their jobs within the next twelve months. The main drivers: a stressful work environment, a lack of appreciation, and weak leadership. The finding lands as more than 200 experts gather in Berlin for the 11th Prevention Forum, chaired by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) and the National Prevention Conference (NPK). Their agenda: digitalisation’s double-edged impact and practical strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises (KMU).
Official sickness data underscores the severity. In 2024, mental disorders accounted for 16.7 percent of all days lost to illness. The link with early retirement is even starker: 42 percent of new disability pensions are granted because of mental health conditions, making them the single most common cause. The Forum is addressing modern leadership, violence prevention, bullying and addiction at work. Experts see digitalisation as a mixed blessing — it can reduce burdens but also generates “technostress.”
A fresh dossier from the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) paints a contradictory picture of workplace relationships. Its survey shows that 87 percent of employees report good collaboration with colleagues and 79 percent feel part of a community. Yet recognition from managers is scarce: only 41 percent say they receive regular praise for their efforts. Customer contact adds another layer of risk — last year 36 percent of workers in that area experienced verbal or psychological abuse.
The German Association of Company Health Insurance Funds (BKK Dachverband) warned in a new brochure about loneliness affecting roughly 18 percent of the working-age population. That isolation doesn’t just harm individuals; it fuels turnover and absenteeism. In the same vein, the initiative AOP-GA has pushed back against calls to loosen the Working Hours Act. More hours, it argues, do not automatically boost performance. The priority should be preventive measures and better working conditions.
New tools are emerging. Nürnberger Versicherung, together with partner XUND, has launched a digital prevention product called PRAEVIA that uses risk analyses and home tests for early detection. Heidelberg University presented concepts for “resilience rooms” in educational settings. The Magdeburg Chamber of Commerce (IHK) will offer a training series in late June for apprenticeship supervisors, focusing on conversation techniques and handling mental strain among trainees.
A specialised concern is gambling addiction. About 1.3 million people in Germany meet the criteria for a gambling disorder. With major sporting events like World Championships on the horizon, experts advise works councils to actively integrate prevention of sports betting addiction into everyday operations. The message is consistent across sectors: mental health is no longer a side issue — it is a central retention challenge.
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