With his statements about sick leave and working hours, the Chancellor ignores work psychology findings – time for a crash course.
M People who constantly say unreflective things can sometimes be a bit tiring. One of these people is Friedrich Merz. His most recent statement was: People who call in sick should please not do so. This demand fits with Merz’s view that Germans should generally work more to stimulate the economy.
It is astonishing that Merz ignores scientific findings from work and health psychology when making his demands. Because otherwise he would know that a high level of sickness is an indication of work overload. He would also know that more working time does not automatically mean more output, but rather the opposite, especially in knowledge work. That in general it is not pressure, control and warnings to pull yourself together that lead to better work performance, but rather appreciation, motivation and physical and mental well-being. That people also need relaxation, exercise and a fulfilling life outside of work, for which they need the appropriate time.
Example recovery: When there is a high workload, the stress hormone cortisol is released more, which inhibits regeneration; more recovery time is needed. However, extra work also shortens the recovery time. Too little sleep, rest and exercise also lead to an increased susceptibility to infections because the immune system is weakened (keyword: cold, the most common reason for taking sick leave). On the other hand, it leads to cognitive slowing. The consequences include inattention, listlessness and less creativity. The work is less likely to be done quickly and well. In addition, the risk of accidents and wrong decisions increases – very expensive for companies.
These are just a few of the many examples of the immense influence work and relaxation time have on health and work results. Recovery is an essential component of a functioning economy, not an annoying, unnecessary cost that can be eliminated.
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