In Germany, improved standards for working conditions has been accompanied by increased criticism of conditions which induce stress and impair health.

"A survey conducted among 30,000 working people in 1991/1992 in Germany shows that for 25-30% of those questioned there are still various environmental burdens or physical strains acting "practically all the time" or at least "frequently." About every tenth person has to work at night and about every fifth works alternating shifts.

The working individuals questioned mention mental strains in the workplace more frequently than the traditional physical and environmental strains. The proportion of those affected by various mental strains is about 20 ­ 40%, depending on the type of strain, above that of those who suffer from more traditional strains. Mention is made here very frequently of "high demands on concentration" (62%) and "heavy pressure of deadlines and performance" (55%)."¹

These survey results reflect the change in the strain structure and the growing importance of mental strains due to changes in workplace values.

"A breakdown according to sectors, occupational groups, occupational qualification, and sex reveals clear differences. High pressure in terms of performance and deadlines is experienced in processing industry by between 50% and 80% of workers, depending on the sector. In the service sector these figures fluctuate between about 40% and 70%.

There are clear differences between East and West Germany, apart from a few individual types of strain. Working people in the East report more frequently about strains. This is especially marked with regard to physical and environmental strains. In the case of mental strains the differences are smaller. Sometimes the impact in this area is even higher in the West. The number of working people affected in the East is also higher with respect to multiple strains. Only 31% of those questioned say they are not subject to any physical or environmental strain (West: 43%)."²

Health and safety issues

 

In Germany, it is generally acknowledged that comprehensive corporate health protection must take greater account of job stress issues, such as burnout, depression and mobbing³. Mental health stress in the workplace is increasing because of the introduction of new technologies and a growing intensification of work.

For years, individual German trade unions and the German Trades Union Confederation have been concerned about negative psychological influences in the workplace such as stress and mobbing. However, employers' associations and the Expert Groups for Occupational Safety and Health are only beginning to discuss these issues. Regarding the new Occupational Safety and Health Act and the new code of social law the German Trades Union Confederation.⁴ states that the additional tasks of occupational physicians include offering advice on mental stress. However, "in practice the implementation of the new legal provisions still faces an unusually large number of difficulties and obstacles. In particular the competent occu-