A majority of German workers are already experiencing the effects of climate change in their workplaces, according to a new survey released Wednesday in Berlin The study, commissioned by Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) and conducted by the Institute for Workplace Health Consulting (IFBG), found that 60 percent of respondents report feeling these impacts
Employees primarily working outdoors, such as those in construction or agriculture, report a significantly higher degree of impact (77 percent) compared to those working indoors (50 percent) This disparity also extends to physical demands, with those engaged in strenuous physical labor reporting greater effects (75 percent) than those primarily in office-based roles (39 percent)
The study also surveyed over 350 employers, revealing a perceived lower urgency regarding the issue compared to their employees “Currently, only around 40 percent of surveyed company representatives see impacts of climate change on the health of their employees” stated IFBG Managing Director Fabian Krapf “Furthermore, only a small proportion of companies surveyed have yet to implement measures to prevent negative consequences
Employers cited several barriers to proactive measures The primary concerns included high costs (41 percent), bureaucratic burden (28 percent), organizational effort (27 percent), a lack of clear legal requirements (25 percent) and insufficient technical infrastructure (24 percent)
Employees highlighted the need for increased company-wide awareness of sustainable practices (38 percent) as the most desired response Requested measures also included physical adjustments to workplaces such as air conditioning (35 percent) and more flexible work schedules to avoid peak heat hours (27 percent) Furthermore, employees expressed a desire for heat action and emergency plans for extreme weather events (26 and 25 percent respectively), as well as relaxed dress codes (24 percent)
The TK Health Report 2025 analyzed sick leave records for approximately six million insured individuals – including those in employment subject to social security contributions and recipients of unemployment benefits (ALG 1) In addition, IFBG conducted an online survey in January 2025, gathering responses from 992 employees and 351 employers across various industries regarding the effects of climate change on health