Heat Waves Threaten €112bn in Lost Output as German Study Finds Trust-Based Health Talks Could Save €30.5bn
Published on 06/18/2026 at 21:53 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
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Amid this heat?stress pressure, a study published on 17?June by the BSI (a German management?systems certification body) argues that a different kind of workplace change could generate huge savings. When managers and employees hold open conversations about health – trusting rather than controlling – German businesses could reduce costs by €30.5?billion annually, the research claims. The savings stem from lower absenteeism, less presenteeism and fewer resignations.
The BSI report dovetails with a call from the Baden?WĂĽrttemberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association (BWIHK), which on 16?June criticised the planned statutory health?insurance (GKV) reform for imposing one?sided burdens on companies. The association demands structural reforms and a stronger focus on prevention, arguing that would relieve firms both bureaucratically and financially.
Changes to occupational?safety regulations are already under way. As of 1?January?2026, the DGUV Vorschrift?2 (the German Social Accident Insurance’s rule on company medical and safety services) raised the employee threshold for simplified care from 10 to 20 workers. It now also allows up to one?third of mandatory safety?supervision hours to be delivered digitally – but only after a physical on?site inspection. Qualification requirements have been updated too: interdisciplinary backgrounds such as psychology are now explicitly recognised, reflecting the growing importance of mental health risks. At the same time, proof?of?training obligations have been tightened.
Mental health is emerging as a central workplace topic. The DAK?Gesundheit, a major health insurer covering 5.5?million people, published a specialist book on psychological health at work in October?2025. Its authors stress that psychological strains must be treated as part of modern occupational safety. This theme is being explored this week in Erfurt at the spring congress of the Association of German Company and Works Physicians (VDBW), which runs until Friday under the motto “systemic employability”. Experts are discussing demographic challenges and the limits of strain in care professions.
Innovative health?protection projects are also being recognised. The German Works Council Prize announced its 2026 nominees today. The award ceremony will take place on 16?September in Berlin, under the patronage of Bundestag President Bärbel Bas.
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