“Educators are the most frequently ill. This is shown by a new study from the Bertelsmann Foundation. According to the study, professionals in daycare centers have more days of incapacity for work than all other examined occupational groups, as reported by taz.”
Published by herCAREER,
Posted on LinkedIn on 23.08.2024
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In recent years, sickness-related absences have increased across all professions. However, staff in daycare centers take an average of 30 days off, significantly more than those in other jobs, where the average is 20 days.
Additionally, the number of sick days due to mental health issues is nearly twice as high among daycare professionals compared to other professions. Mental health issues are the second most common reason for sickness-related absences, with respiratory diseases being the most common.
A major cause, unsurprisingly, is the shortage of staff. This creates a vicious cycle: “When there is insufficient staff, working conditions for existing employees worsen. The workload increases, and when it becomes too great, there are more absences due to overwork. This, in turn, exacerbates the staffing shortage, and the pattern continues.”
According to daycare professionals, the following factors further complicate working conditions: inadequate salaries, interruptions and disturbances at work, limited opportunities for professional development, and low appreciation.
The Bertelsmann Foundation, professional associations, and education policymakers are calling for mandatory legal measures to alleviate the burden on educators and address the staffing shortage. There are already vague plans from the federal government regarding this.
But where is the push to truly tackle the issue and end the crisis—along with all its repercussions for society and the economy?