German row over plan for workers to need sick note on first day of illness
Summary
The German government plans to change sick-leave rules so workers must give their employers a doctor's note on the first day they are sick. This ends the pandemic rule allowing sick notes by phone and returns to the old system, where a note was needed after three days of absence.Key Facts
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the number of sick days in Germany is too high and affects the country's competitiveness.
- Currently, workers can be sick for three days before needing a doctor’s note, unless the employer asks sooner.
- The new rule requires a doctor's note from day one of illness and ends the phone-based sick notes introduced during Covid-19.
- Medical groups warn this could force sick people to visit doctors unnecessarily, risking more infections.
- The government coalition partners are the conservative CDU and the Social Democrats (SPD).
- SPD leaders said they want to find practical solutions and will review the new rule’s impact.
- Jens Spahn, CDU parliamentary leader, said Germany’s average of 18 sick days per employee per year is one of the highest in the EU.
- The changes are part of larger reforms in tax, labor, and pension laws to boost Germany’s economy.
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