[Work intensity-current situation and trends : Cross-sectional data comparison based on the 2012, 2018, and 2024...

Work intensity is considered a key work-related risk factor for employee health. It describes the ratio between the amount of work and the time available. Its increase since the 1990s is seen as a key feature of the changing nature of work.

By using the 2024 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey, the current prevalence of work intensity among around 18,000 employees was examined and compared with data from 2012 and 2018 to investigate how it has developed. Three work intensity characteristics were used for this purpose. The data were stratified according to gender, working hours, professional requirements, and occupational activity.

Women, full-time employees, and employees with higher professional requirements are more affected by work intensity than men, part-time employees, or employees with low job requirements. Overall, multitasking increased and deadline or performance pressure and working at the limit of one's capacity decreased. However, these changes do not apply to all employee groups equally. There are still groups with noticeably high and even increasing work intensity.

Efforts to create well-designed work must be intensified, especially for these employees. Despite positive overall trends, work intensity must continue to be kept in mind as a key factor in occupational safety, prevention, and work design, because prolonged high work intensity contributes to the development of cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and depressive disorders.