Work stress trends in Germany: stable qualitative work overload but rising quantitative work overload across socio-demographic groups in a repeated cross-sectional study.

backgroundThe adverse effects of perceived excessive workload (work overload), as one major source of work stress, on health and work performance are well-documented; however, studies that examine how work overload has changed over time are lacking. This study aims to examine the time trends in work overload across and within socioeconomic groups in Germany.

methodsData from the BIBB/BAuA Employment Surveys of 2006, 2012, and 2018 are used, with response rates between 44% and 14%. Work overload is operationalized by two indicators: qualitative overload (overload due to work difficulty) and quantitative overload (overload due to work amount). Logistic regression models are employed to examine the changes in work overload over time and by socioeconomic subgroup.

resultsThe results indicate that qualitative overload remained relatively stable over time, with minor increments among workers with a lower educational level. Conversely, quantitative overload increased substantially in the entire sample and in all subgroups. The rise in quantitative overload was especially pronounced among workers with a lower educational level, who also reported increasing levels of qualitative overload.

conclusionsThese findings show that perceived work overload has increased over time in Germany, but mostly regarding work quantity. The study highlights the public health need for managing workload to alleviate stress and enhance health and well-being in the workplace.