cross-posted from: https://feddit.online/c/euro@feddit.online/p/1817064/germany-tightens-sick-leave-rules-medical-doctor-note-required-from-day-one-telephone-s

Germany’s Chancellor Merz:

We can no longer accept the extraordinarily high levels of sick leave in our companies.

We are abolishing sick leave by telephone and introducing the requirement to submit a medical certificate from the very first day of illness.

We know this is a tough decision. But we can no longer afford this competitive disadvantage caused by prolonged absences from work.

  • JohnnyEnzyme@piefed.socialEnglish
    45·
    2 days ago

    IIRC this flawed arrangement is in common with Japan, and often leads to sick notes made for days or more just to make sure the patient doesn’t have to go get one sick leave note per day, meaning unexpected vacations, commonly.

    So already knowing how that works, is this just performative politics by Merz?

    • tomi000@lemmy.worldEnglish
      12·
      2 days ago

      This is absolutely how it will play out. Until now I took 1 or 2 sick days a year, I dont really get sick often. From now on, I will make sure my doctor prescribes 2 weeks of rest per occasion.

    • zurohki@aussie.zoneEnglish
      7·
      2 days ago

      It’s the fun part of using doctors as truancy police - they have no reason not to just recommend two weeks off for everyone who walks through the door. Because honestly most people could use it.

    • gedfromgont@piefed.caEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      Japan may be a good comparison on the rule side of things, but culturally how sick leave is taken, I am not sure.

      On the one hand people in Japan seem to be more concerned about not getting others (or themselves) sick, seeing as they constantly wear face masks (already pre-pandemic), on the other hand the work culture seems more cut-throat so they may have more pressure to come in even while sick, not sure.