Do flexible working hours and working from home help combat leisure sickness?
When it comes to preventing leisure sickness, the question arises: Are flexible working time models, in which employees can (partly) organise their own time, a preventive measure against stress in the workplace? And what about options such as working from home and hybrid working?
The IU study on leisure sickness shows that 53.4% of employees in Germany have the option of freely organising their time (at least in part), and 29.1% can work remotely or on a hybrid basis. Nevertheless, 71.9% have experienced leisure sickness at some point, i.e. the feeling of being ill or exhausted on days off or on holiday. Our expert has an explanation for this.
Question: Which type of working time model best describes your current employment situation?
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Question: Where do you mainly work?
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Flexible working is not a panacea – clear boundaries are crucial. Although there is a trend towards more flexible working hours, it is clear that this does not automatically lead to better rest and relaxation. Targeted measures are needed to reduce stress and improve work-life balance in the long term. This is where employers come in.”
Prof. Dr Stefanie André
Professor of Health Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences and expert on health in the workplace
Focus
Leisure sickness: What are employers doing?
Reducing stress also means preventing leisure sickness. This is because leisure sickness is considered to be a consequence of the drop in stress levels during holidays, at weekends or on days off (see Definition of leisure sickness). Almost two-thirds of employees in Germany think that employers could offer more support to reduce stress and its impact on health.
However, the IU study shows that less than half of employers (46.8%) actively support measures to promote the health or well-being of their employees, according to the respondents. According to employees, specific relaxation programmes, stress management and resilience training, or nutrition and exercise programmes are rare.
According to employees, companies bear responsibility...
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “I think my employer could offer more support to reduce stress and its impact on my health.”
...but more than half of employers do not seem to support measures to combat stress.
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “My employer actively supports measures that promote my health and well-being.”
Preventive measures against stress: What employers offer
Question: Which of the following measures does your employer offer to promote relaxation and health?
Top 8 answers
Rest cannot be achieved by imposing rules; it requires a culture that facilitates it. Employees need to have the expertise and personal responsibility to set boundaries, while also having leadership that sets an example, provides support and does not stand in the way. Leisure sickness shows how strongly mental exhaustion is linked to a lack of ability to relax. Therefore, companies should not focus on restrictions, but rather on awareness, role models and genuine spaces where employees can recharge their batteries.”
Prof. Dr Stefanie André
Professor of Health Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences and expert on health in the workplace
