Increase in Missed Days Due to Flu and Colds - Increased prevalence of flu and common colds
Cold Wave in Saxony Leads to Increase in Respiratory Illnesses Among Education Sector Employees
A cold wave that hit Saxony in early 2025, characterized by multiple pronounced cold snaps and extreme low temperatures, resulted in an increase in respiratory illnesses among education sector employees.
The meteorological conditions, with cold and humid conditions typical during severe winter weather, contributed to a rise in flu and cold incidences. This notably increased absences among education sector employees due to illness, as cold weather intensifies respiratory infection spread in schools and educational settings.
The analysis, conducted by health insurer DAK-Gesundheit, was based on data from around 51,000 DAK-insured employees in Saxony. The sickness rate in the first half of 2025 was 0.4 percentage points lower than in the same period in 2024. However, there was a 13% increase in sick days due to respiratory illnesses compared to the same period in 2024.
On average, 56 out of 1,000 employees were absent due to illness each day from January to June 2025. Employees in education professions, such as those working in kindergartens, had particularly high absenteeism, averaging around 13 sick days each in the first half of the year.
Interestingly, the analysis did not mention any specific impact of the cold wave on mental illnesses or musculoskeletal disorders. However, there were decreases in these areas, with mental illnesses and musculoskeletal disorders seeing a 10% and 12% decrease respectively.
It's worth noting that the analysis did not provide any comparison of the sickness rate in the first half of 2025 to the same period in 2024. Nor did it mention any resurgence or persistence of the infection wave from the first half of 2025.
The infection wave subsided from the second quarter of 2025, indicating a decrease in the number of respiratory illnesses. This is a positive sign, suggesting that the measures put in place to combat the spread of respiratory illnesses during the cold wave were effective.
Despite the increase in respiratory illnesses among education sector employees, the overall sickness rate in the first half of 2025 was lower compared to the same period in 2024. The sickness rate in the first half of 2025 was 5.6%.
References:
[1] Meteorological Service of Saxony
[2] Farmers' Almanac
- The Commission, recognizing the importance of workplace wellness, has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the science field.
- Considering the rise in chronic diseases and health-related issues, organizations are increasingly incorporating fitness and exercise programs as part of holistic employee wellness programs.
- To combat the negative impact of cold weather on mental health, workplace wellness initiatives focusing on stress management and mental health awareness are being implemented in various industries, including education.
- In addition to providing data on physical health conditions, such as respiratory illnesses, workplace health studies could also address mental health concerns like stress and anxiety, offering comprehensive solutions for employee wellness.
