Germany has enacted a significant reform to its sick day policy, now requiring employees to present a doctor's note for any absence due to illness. The change, announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, aims to address what he described as "extraordinarily high levels of sick leave" impacting the nation's economic competitiveness.
"We can no longer accept the extraordinarily high levels of sick leave in our companies," Merz stated, announcing the abolition of calling in sick by phone and the introduction of mandatory medical certificates "from the very first day of illness." He acknowledged the decision's difficulty but emphasized its necessity, stating, "We can no longer afford this competitive disadvantage caused by prolonged absences from work."
Previously, German workers could take up to six weeks of paid leave for an illness, with the duration resetting if the sickness changed. This was in addition to the standard six weeks of annual vacation. The new policy represents a notable shift for Germany, a country often recognized for its employee-friendly labor laws and the prevalence of four-day workweeks.
Economic Reforms and Impact
Beyond sick leave, Germany's government has also passed reforms to gradually increase the retirement age from 65 to 67 and provide employers with greater flexibility in hiring short-term workers. These measures are part of a broader economic reform package intended to bolster the German economy, which has faced challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic and has been further impacted by the war in Ukraine and events concerning Iran.
Recent data suggests that the former sick day policy was frequently utilized. According to a survey cited by German tabloid Bild, the average German worker took approximately 14.8 sick days per year. This figure is nearly double the average for private sector workers in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
However, the new requirement has raised concerns within the medical community. Markus Blumenthal-Beier, head of the German Association of General Practitioners, warned that the mandatory doctor's notes could lead to a "catastrophic" backlog in the nation's healthcare system. The government maintains that the changes are crucial for economic revitalization.