Anforderungen an eine gesundheitsgerechte Gestaltung der Leiharbeit

In recent years the number of employees involved in labour leasing has increased significantly and it consequently plays a decisive role in the German labour market today. However, from a ‘work science’ point of view this form of atypical employment is linked to particular hazards, above all the short-term assignment – a typical characteristic of labour leasing – is the cause of serious health and safety risks for employees. Several studies reveal a disproportionally high number of accidents and illnesses amongst workers. The present article is an aggregation of results derived from project GRAziL (2008 – 2011). The project was financed by the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) and aimed at improving the health and safety of leased workers at the workplace. The article provides a critical overview of the current status in labour leasing: Topics such as, for example, the lack of equal treatment or conditions of employment are described, as well as their impact on the worker’s physical and psychological health situation. Based on these studies practical suggestions concerning ways to secure the health and safety for leased workers are presented.