Germany Battles High Sick Leave Rate with New In-Person Doctor Rule

Germany is cracking down on what it deems an unacceptably high rate of employee sick days with new regulations. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that workers must now see a doctor in person on their first day of absence to receive a sick note. This measure replaces a previous system where employees could obtain a doctor's note via phone call, typically by the third day of absence.

Merz explained that the current number of sick days is too high and unsustainable for Germany's economy. "The number of sick days is too high. We are creating a procedure that enables those concerned, both employees and companies, to correct this," he told German journalists. He acknowledged the decision is controversial but stressed that Germany can no longer afford the cost of prolonged employee absences.

The new rules are intended to boost productivity in Germany's stagnant economy. Employer representatives have welcomed the decision, seeing it as a necessary step to improve efficiency. However, labor unions have criticized Merz, accusing him of fostering a culture of distrust towards employees.

Doctors also voiced opposition, warning that the new regulations would lead to unnecessary visits and overcrowd German health centers. On average, Germans take about three weeks, or 15 working days, of sick leave annually. While this is less than in France and most Nordic countries, it is more than in Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, and Italy.

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The number of sick days is too high. We are creating a procedure that enables those concerned, both employees and companies, to correct this.