Workplace Tensions: Nearly One-Fifth of Bremen's Employees Report Generational Disputes
In a groundbreaking study, the 2025 DAK Health Report analyzed anonymous data from approximately 15,000 DAK-insured employees in the city of Bremen. The report, titled 'Gen Z in the Workplace,' offers valuable insights into the working lives of Generation Z (Gen Z) and their health practices.
The report reveals that around 76,000 employed individuals in Bremen belong to the young employee group under 30 years old. Gen Z, born between 1995 and 2010, make up about a quarter of the 331,000 employed individuals in Bremen. This young generation is particularly present in sectors with a strong need for skilled young workers, such as the maritime industry and various trades.
Companies, authorities, and businesses are increasingly reliant on Gen Z, but the report indicates that 18% of all employees in Bremen experience tensions between different age groups at least occasionally. These tensions, often referred to as generational conflicts, occur most frequently in older teams, with younger employees in predominantly older teams being particularly affected.
Michael-Nicklas Ruhe, head of DAK Health in Bremen, states that generational conflicts at work are a concern and emphasizes the importance of understanding different generations and fostering a healthy atmosphere among staff. Supporting young people as they enter the workforce is crucial, according to Ruhe.
The report examines aspects of working life that are important to Gen Z and shows how this young generation handles its health. The health absenteeism rate for those under 30 in Bremen is 4.6%, lower than the overall rate for DAK-insured employees (5.2%). Younger employees have more respiratory-related absences and fewer musculoskeletal issues compared to older employees. However, they also have fewer absences due to psychological reasons, but the significance of mental health in absenteeism is already high among this group.
Effective health management in the workplace can be key to addressing these issues. The report underscores the importance of challenging stereotypes, fostering respectful dialogue, and creating a healthy and productive work environment for employees of all ages. The model of success for the future is mixed-age teams, and efforts should be made to build a generational bridge in companies.
The pandemic has made Gen Z more cautious about infections than before COVID-19. This heightened awareness could play a significant role in shaping the future of health and safety practices in the workplace.
For more information about the DAK Health Report 'Gen Z in the Workplace,' visit www.dak.de/bgm. The report is available in two PDFs: '20250915_PM_Bremen_GenZ.pdf' (460 kB) and 'DAK-HealthReport_2025_Bremen_fin.pdf' (602 kB).
