A study by the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (Wifo) for the Chamber of Labor reveals that workplace accidents and work-related illnesses cost society 12.4 billion euros in 2023. Work-related illnesses alone accounted for 11 billion euros of this total.
Employees bear 58 percent of these costs, while social insurance covers 30.8 percent and businesses pay 10 percent. Of the 168,000 cases reported, 85,000 involved musculoskeletal disorders and 54,000 were mental illnesses, which average 37 sick days per case.
Despite the high impact, no mental illness has been recognized as an occupational disease. The Chamber of Labor is now calling for mandatory limits on heavy loads, heat protection, and the required involvement of psychologists to improve workplace prevention.