Study Reveals Alarming Burnout Rates Among School Leaders in Germany

School leaders face extreme workloads, frequent illness, and emotional exhaustion, prompting calls for urgent reforms and support.

• Research conducted by the Freiburger Forschungsstelle für Arbeitswissenschaften highlights severe burnout risks among school leaders in multiple German states, including Bavaria, Saxony, and Hesse.
• Key findings show over 80% of school leaders work at a high pace daily, with many unable to take breaks or manage their workload effectively.
• A significant number of school leaders report emotional exhaustion, difficulties disconnecting from work, and a high rate of 'presenteeism,' attending work even when ill.
• The Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW) demands reduced bureaucracy, additional administrative support, and mandatory workplace hazard assessments to protect school leaders' health.
• The study underscores the impact of teacher shortages and unfilled leadership positions, with some states reporting up to 13% of school leadership roles vacant.

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