Unrest at Diakonie: Almost all employees in Friedrichshafen are quitting!

Unrest at Diakonie: Almost all employees in Friedrichshafen are quitting!

In the last few weeks, a worrying picture has emerged in the Lake Constance district: almost all employees at the Diakonie for Addiction Help have resigned. A report confirms that the unrest in the team is due to dissatisfaction with the leader, who has been in office since November 2022. After numerous departures, the advice centers in Friedrichshafen and Überlingen are facing a completely new beginning.

Since 2006, Diakonie has been an important contact point for psychosocial care and outpatient rehabilitation for addicts in the region. Due to the sudden loss of almost all psychologists and social workers, the addiction support services available are now severely limited. The counselors have to look after around 1,800 clients, including over 100 in drug substitution.

Seat and place: challenges for diakonia

Currently, many outpatient rehabilitation services can no longer be offered. Clients are forced to travel to neighboring counties to receive necessary treatments. The German pension insurance has already agreed that Diakonie can suspend outpatient rehabilitation for a year. However, Diakonie's recognition could be lost if the offer is not taken up again by August 2026.

With each new termination, not only does the team's strength diminish, but also the clients' trust in the institution. Brennecke, the managing director of the Diakonisches Werk Oberschwaben Allgäu Bodensee, is desperately looking for new management and additional consultants for the team, which will eventually grow to around 15 members. Many positions have already been filled, but conscientious recruitment with a good feeling for the human needs of the team and clients is still required.

Future visions and financing

Group offerings such as the “Rainbow Kids,” which look after children from troubled families, are currently on pause. Brennecke hopes for an early decision from the district office on financing. Fortunately, the state's subsidy was increased from 19,000 euros to 25,000 euros per year per full-time position, which represents a ray of hope in this difficult situation.

It is clear that not only structural changes are necessary, but also an improvement in communication between employees and management. Brennecke has already initiated measures here. Support and moral support within the team seem essential to restore the working atmosphere and motivation.

Thinking outside the box: Addiction in the workplace

Another aspect that should not be neglected in this context is the issue of addiction in the workplace. The German Central Office for Addiction Issues (DHS) is actively dedicated to the situation of addictions in professional life. Here, company agreements, prevention measures and health promotion can help to get addiction problems under control at an early stage. The challenges that diakonia is confronted with reflect the need to also deal with operational support systems.

Finally, it remains to be hoped that Diakonie will take the necessary steps to regain the trust of its clients and at the same time create a harmonious working environment. This is the only way the valuable work in addiction support can continue to be carried out.