Sick leave: Why German workers can't get enough
Sick leave in Germany has hit a new record, with workers taking an average of nearly 20 days off per year. As Chancellor Merz cracks
Sick leave in Germany has hit a new record, with workers taking an average of nearly 20 days off per year. As Chancellor Merz cracks down, how does the country's absenteeism compare to other countries? Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz this week announced a crackdown on the high number of sick days the country takes. The move follows research published in January by the Berlin-based IGES Institute, showing that German workers now take an average of 19.5 working days as sick leave per year. That figure is a noticeable increase from about 13 days in 2018. As part of Merz's proposals, from January next year, workers will no longer be able to get a sick note over the phone. They must visit a doctor in person and on the first day of illness. The measure adds a layer of difficulty to taking time off work due to sickness. Merz said the high number of absences is hurting Germany’s economy, adding that, “We can no longer afford this competitive disadvantage caused by long absences from work." He framed the crackdown as a bid to restore what he calls “fairness and functionality” to the labor market, allowing employers and health insurers to react to repeated absences more assertively. The change is part of a larger package of reforms and budget cuts to health and social security programs agreed by the governing coalition, made up of Merz's conservative alliance and the center-left Social Democrats.
Lazy Germany: Is more work the way back to the top? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video How does Germany's sick leave system work? Germany has one of the world's most generous sick leave systems. Workers are entitled to 100% of their salary for up to six weeks of sick leave, paid by the employer. A doctor’s note is usually required after three days of absence. After six weeks of sick leave, statutory health insurance takes over, paying about 70% of gross pay with a cap for up to 78 weeks within three years for the same illness. As well as preventing workers from losing income due to ill health, the system also encourages proper recovery to prevent staff from spreading their germs at work. Germany's system contrasts with that of many other countries. In the United States, there is no federal paid sick leave requirement. Many workers get none or only a few days, depending on their employer. In India, paid sick leave is often just a few days per year under labor laws. Many short absences are unpaid and rules vary widely by company, sector and state. At home, Germany's sick leave system is often criticized by politicians and business leaders as leading to higher absenteeism, which they say hurts productivity and competitiveness. Germany's economy is struggling due to rising competition from China, geopolitics and high energy costs, among many issues.
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