Germany bans workers from calling in sick without proof
Workers who call in sick in Germany will need to get a doctor’s certificate in person on the first day they are unwell, under new rules.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz announcement was made as a part of sweeping tax, labour and pension reforms designed to “get Germany back on track”.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said the new rule would Getty
Under the new rules, employers will now be able to ask for a doctor’s certificate from the first day a person is on sick leave.
Workers have previously been able to call in sick for up to three days without seeing a doctor or call a doctor and ask for certification of one week.
The German leader told reporters the number of sick days in the country was “too high”.
“We are creating a set of tools that will enable those involved, both employees and companies, to correct this,” Merz said.
“We know this is a tough decision, but we can no longer afford the competitive disadvantage caused by prolonged absences from work.”
Under Germany’s sick leave policy, workers are entitled to take up to six weeks of paid leave for an illness.
Full-time workers in Australia are entitled to 10 days of sick leave.
The announcement from Merz has been met with opposition by unions and doctors.
The German Association of Family Physicians described the measure as “an absolute catastrophe”.
“Our practices would be flooded with patients who don’t need in-person care and would be better off in bed,” the organisation said.
Verdi union head Frank Werneke said the move would create “a culture of distrust of employees”.
Merz announced 34 measures to improve the economy, including cuts to income tax for low and middle income families and an overhaul of the pension system.
“These reforms all have one goal: We’re setting out into the future,” Merz said.
“We’re strengthening ourselves so that we can live well in these new times.
“From the very beginning, we set an agenda with a single goal in mind: We want to get Germany back on track.
“It is now clear that this is possible.”
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