- In the case of the biggest stress we cause ourselves
There are people who are proud to push themselves to or even beyond their limits in order to complete everything as perfectly as possible. They are under immense pressure. However, they do not suffer as much from the working conditions, the sheer amount of work, or conflicts with their boss, but rather from their own high expectations - the Kaufmännische Krankenkasse KKH speaks of the "perfectionism trap".
According to a new Forsa survey commissioned by the health insurance company, 43 percent of working people often feel significantly under pressure - every seventh person even very often, as the KKH in Hannover reported. Another 43 percent feel stressed at work occasionally. The reasons for this are clear: About two-thirds (65 percent) of those surveyed feel pressured by their own expectations to do their work as well as possible. At the same time, the number of sick days due to stress-related mental health issues is increasing nationwide among KKH policyholders.
Perfectionism and time pressure are the greatest stress factors
For the study, the opinion research institute Forsa surveyed 1,001 working people aged 18 to 70 nationwide on behalf of KKH from July 1 to 8. The health insurance company, with around 1.6 million policyholders, is one of the largest nationwide.
Almost as great a stress factor as one's own perfectionism is time pressure at work (62 percent) - which is clearly ahead of the expectations of others (40 percent). About a third of working people feel stressed by too many overtime hours (36 percent) or high performance demands (32 percent). Difficulties in balancing work and private life (27) or a low salary (23) each affect about a quarter. Bad team mood and bullying (21) or control by superiors (19) also cause stress.
More sick days due to stress-related mental health problems
"Our survey shows that stress is very individually perceived and strongly influenced by one's own attitude," said KKH's occupational psychologist Antje Judick. "Initially, this is good news because it's something you can work on." Stress is often seen as a status symbol in a performance-oriented society, and perfectionism as a sign of competence. "Moreover, constant availability, for example via smartphone, and blurred boundaries between work and private life have become the norm."
According to the survey, about a quarter of working people (28 percent) have had to take time off due to pressure and stress at work. Nationwide data on KKH policyholders' absenteeism shows that the number of sick days due to stress-related mental health problems is increasing - including acute stress reactions and adjustment disorders: In the first half of 2024, there were 109 sick days per 100 annually insured KKH customers - compared to 105 in the previous year. In 2019, it was 75 days per 100 employed people.
The number of sick days due to burnout is also increasing
The number of depressive episodes registered by the health insurance company increased from 89 to 102 days per 100 insured people in the five-year comparison. Burnout - usually diagnosed as a syndrome at the beginning of a stress-related illness or in the course of further mental health issues - was at 11 days per 100 employed people last year, and 10 days in the first half of 2024. In 2019, it was 8 days. Burnout is seen as a creeping process, and if not addressed, it can set off a downward spiral, according to the insurance company.
At least according to figures from the Federal Statistical Office, overtime is only part of the daily work routine for a minority of employees in Germany. Around one in eight worked more than agreed in their contract last year. This amounts to 4.6 million people, or 12 percent of the approximately 39.3 million employees.
Another stress factor: Fear of war and crises
For 40 percent of those working overtime, it amounts to no more than five hours per week. However, nearly one in five (19 percent) reported working more than 15 overtime hours per week. Moreover, around 20 percent, or over 900,000 people, reported working unpaid overtime.
Another stress factor for the majority of the German population is the fear of war and crises. According to a March survey by Swiss Life, these fears are even greater than personal concerns like financial worries or illnesses. The increase in natural disasters in recent years also causes significant concern for a large portion of the population, adding to stress levels.
Women struggle more with stress
According to a Forsa survey commissioned by the KKH, working women are particularly affected by stress - 20 percent of women surveyed felt very stressed very often, compared to 11 percent of men. Psychologist Judick explained that the expectation to excel in both the role of mother and career sets many women under immense pressure.
The Greens have therefore demanded the right to work from home. "Home office is particularly important for women to balance family and career," said Green Party employment policy spokeswoman Beate Müller-Gemmeke to the Tagesspiegel. Although the coalition agreement provides for employees to have a right to work from home in the future, this has not yet been implemented.
Mental illness days off at record high in 2023
According to health insurance data, sick days due to mental illness have increased significantly since 2017 and reached a record high last year: While there were 298 sick days per 100 full-year insured employees at the beginning of the evaluation in 2017, there are now 388 days.
Stress from self-imposed high expectations continues to be a significant issue, as revealed by the KKH, with around 65% of surveyed individuals citing it as their primary stress factor. Furthermore, the number of sick days due to stress-related mental health problems among KKH policyholders has been on the rise, reaching 109 days per 100 annually insured individuals in the first half of 2024.
