dw.com
German Workers Overwhelmed: 44% Consider Quitting Due to Overwork
A Statista survey of 1500 German employees reveals that 44 percent are considering leaving their jobs, primarily due to excessive workload and its negative impact on health and personal life, with younger employees (18-24) showing the highest propensity to quit (54%).
- What is the primary reason for the high percentage of German workers considering a job change?
- The main reason cited is excessive workload. 43% of respondents work overtime several times a week, and over 12% work overtime daily. This is compounded by the fact that nearly half (48%) feel they can only focus productively for 4-6 hours a day, despite working 8-10 hours.
- What are the wider consequences of this excessive workload on German workers' well-being and personal lives?
- The survey indicates significant negative impacts: 63% report increased fatigue, 58% report problems in their personal lives, 56% experience frequent burnout, and 39% report worse sleep (44% for men). Stressors include work pressure (46%), work-life balance difficulties (28%), and managing too many projects (27%).
- What are the implications of these findings for German employers and employees, and what potential solutions are suggested?
- The high rate of job consideration highlights a pressing need for employers to foster a culture that values rest and breaks as part of the work process. For employees, open communication with management about their needs is advocated as a more effective solution than avoidance strategies, as current coping mechanisms are only temporary fixes. This is particularly crucial given that Germans now work an average of 29 hours per week, a post-reunification high.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view of the situation, showing both the high percentage of Germans considering a job change and the record number of working hours. It highlights the concerns of employees without overly dramatizing the situation or explicitly blaming employers. However, the inclusion of the statistic about the record number of working hours might subtly frame the employees' desire for change as less justified.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. Phrases like "подумывают о смене работы" (considering a job change) and "избыточная нагрузка" (excessive workload) are accurate descriptions. There's no use of inflammatory or emotionally charged language.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from including perspectives from employers. While it mentions the need for employers to address the issues, it doesn't present their side of the story or potential challenges they face. Additionally, the article doesn't delve into specific industries or sectors where this dissatisfaction might be more pronounced.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights excessive workload, burnout, and resulting desire for job changes among German employees. This directly impacts decent work conditions (SDG 8.8, aiming to protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments) and economic growth (as high employee turnover and burnout decrease productivity and economic output). The data showing increased working hours coupled with decreased work concentration further exemplifies the negative impact on worker well-being and overall economic productivity.