Do not contact the patient without a doctor’s note. Workplace rules are changing in Germany, and one of the first aspects to address is the generous sick day policy. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has repeatedly expressed the country’s policy, praised the change as a way to boost the country’s economy.“We can no longer accept extremely high levels of sick leave in our companies,” Merz told reporters. He added: “We have canceled sick leave by phone and introduced the requirement to provide a medical certificate from the first day of illness.”Along with stricter sick leave requirements, Germany has also passed reforms that will gradually increase the retirement age from 65 to 67 and allow employers more flexibility in hiring short-term workers.Previously, the country’s policy allowed up to six weeks of paid leave due to illness. If the employee becomes ill from a different illness, the six weeks of paid leave will begin again. This was in addition to the six weeks of vacation most employees get. Now, employee-friendly standards in German labor policy have been reformed to give the nation a competitive advantage, which it had been losing, according to Merz.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has repeatedly expressed his regret over the country’s generous sick day policy
German workers reportedly benefited from the policy, with employees taking an average of 14.8 sick days per year, according to a survey by German newspaper Bild. That’s twice what the average American worker makes in the private sector, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.But all is not well with the policy announcement. According to Markus Blumenthal-Beier, president of the German Association of General Practitioners, the need for a doctor’s note could cause a “catastrophic” blockage in the country’s health system.The move is part of Merz’s larger 34-point package to keep the German economy afloat, which has declined since the Covid-19 pandemic and the effects of the war in Ukraine and Iran. He also introduced comprehensive labor, tax and pension reforms and measures to cut red tape, initiatives that will boost growth, jobs and competitiveness while maintaining social welfare protections. “We are working to cut red tape.
“We are working to protect our welfare state, and we are working to reduce the burden on employees and companies by reducing taxes.”He said the government aims to pass the main elements of the 34-point package through parliament by the end of the year, adding that the ruling coalition has agreed to economic reforms.
