Despite higher workplace hazards, temporary workers are less likely to be sick than workers in other industries

Temporary workers are employees like everyone else. Personnel service providers affirm this time and again; after all, temporary workers are subject to the the same rights and obligations under labor law as for all employees in Germany. Protection against dismissal, continued payment of wages, vacation entitlement and similar benefits of labor law in Germany benefit temporary workers to the same extent. Regulations on working hours, breaks and health examinations also apply to temporary workers just as they do to other employees.

Nevertheless, there are always Assertions, that temporary workers have a higher health risk and had greater absenteeism than employees in other sectors. Such headlines occur, for example, when individual health insurance companies evaluate their non-representative statistics and then make generalized statements.

Lower sick leave and absenteeism

In fact, that in activities that take place under conditions (e.g. noise, dust, heat) that require the wearing of protective clothing, temporary employment is used disproportionately often. In this respect, it can be said that many temporary workers bear a certain health risk. However, as far as absenteeism is concerned, the Federal Government published a report in December 2017 that now proves the opposite. At 18.4 days per year, absenteeism among employees in temporary employment is even lower than among employees outside temporary employment (18.9 days per year). This is the result of a study that evaluated the data of all statutory health insurance funds in Germany and their insured persons. In this respect, employment in the personnel services sector is also quite comparable with employment outside this sector.

However, industry insiders are not surprised by this finding. Ultimately, temporary workers benefit more from the fact that they and their health are taken care of from two sides at once: both the employer and the assignment company look to ensure that there is safety in the workplace.

You can download the federal government's report at www.bundestag.de download as PDF. Simply enter "Drucksache 19/270" in the search field at the top right.

You can also find more information on occupational safety in temporary employment at http://www.vbg.de/DE/3_Praevention_und_Arbeitshilfen/1_Branchen/15_Zeitarbeit/zeitarbeit_node.html

And of course plays Occupational safety also at Franz & Wach a very important role. A full-time occupational safety specialist supports our store teams in the implementation of preventive measures and hazard assessments at customer sites. Our accident figures and absenteeism are even lower than the industry average!