Health concerns spur presenteeism and early‑retirement plans in Germany, Austria

A 2025 survey by the Upper Austrian Chamber of Labour found that 72 % of employees had worked at least once while ill, a sharp rise from 30 % in 2015. The increase in presenteeism is linked to weak sick‑leave policies, unclear time‑recording systems and mental‑health pressures. The Linz‑based software firm MIC reported that its "fit2mic" health‑promotion program reduced sick‑leave days by about 25 % compared with the IT sector average and lowered staff turnover.

A separate poll commissioned by the DAK health insurance in Bavaria revealed that 47 % of workers want to retire before the statutory age, with the proportion rising to 53 % among those over 50. Respondents with health problems were especially likely to seek early retirement (58 % versus 45 % of healthier workers). Employees over 50 also recorded longer sick‑leave periods – an average of 24 days per year versus 15 days for younger staff – contributing to higher overall absenteeism despite Bavaria's lower regional sickness rate (6.6 % versus the German average of 7.4 %).