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Sick leave: Germany rising but not the worst in Europe
DW.com • • world
Key Points:
- Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced new measures to curb rising sick leave, including requiring workers to obtain a doctor's note in person on the first day of illness starting January next year.
- German workers currently average 19.5 sick days per year, up from 13 days in 2018, partly due to better reporting from the electronic sick note system and increased health awareness post-pandemic.
- Germany's generous sick leave system provides full salary for six weeks and partial pay up to 78 weeks, contrasting with countries like the US and India where paid sick leave is limited or nonexistent.
- Critics warn that the crackdown may stigmatize legitimate illness and unfairly blame an aging workforce, while supporters argue it is necessary to improve productivity and address economic challenges.
- OECD data shows Germany's sick leave rate is moderate compared to other countries, with nations like Norway, Spain, and Finland having higher absenteeism, and Eastern European countries exhibiting much lower rates.
