Federal Agencies Report Higher Average Sick Days per Employee

Recent data from the German Federal Ministry of the Interior has revealed that employees working in the country's leading federal agencies recorded an average of 15.2 sick days per person in 2024. This figure exceeds the national average for employees across all sectors, which was 14.8 days in the same period.

The analysis, compiled from internal records provided by various federal institutions, highlights notable differences in absenteeism due to illness among government bodies. The Federal Council (Bundesrat), which represents the interests of Germany's federal states, reported the highest absence rate, with each employee averaging 25.2 sick days. The German Bundestag, the national parliament, followed closely, with its workforce logging 22.3 sick days on average.

Other agencies also experienced above-average sick leave. The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth saw each employee missing approximately 21.5 days due to health reasons. In contrast, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection reported the lowest absentee rate among the surveyed agencies, with an average of just 7.4 sick days per employee.

Experts attribute the variation in absentee rates to several factors, including occupational stress, the nature of job responsibilities, workplace environment, and the demographic composition of the workforce. The data suggests that certain agencies, particularly legislative bodies, may have higher workloads and stress levels, which could contribute to increased health-related absences.

The nationwide average of 14.8 sick days for all employees, as reported by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, serves as a benchmark for comparison. The figures reported by federal agencies indicate that public sector employees are, on average, taking more sick leave than their counterparts in other industries. Analysts note that this trend could be influenced by the age structure of public sector staff, higher rates of part-time employment, and the impact of recent health challenges, such as the ongoing effects of pandemic-related illnesses.

In response to these findings, some policymakers and public administration leaders are calling for targeted measures to address absenteeism and promote employee health. Suggested initiatives include enhanced workplace health management programs, stress reduction strategies, and greater flexibility in working arrangements. The goal is to support employee well-being while maintaining effective public service delivery.

Overall, the data underscores the importance of monitoring employee health trends within government agencies and implementing policies that encourage a healthy and productive workforce. As the public sector continues to adapt to changing work environments and health challenges, understanding and addressing the factors behind sick leave will remain a priority for federal administrators.