Key facts
- Germany's coalition government plans to require doctor's notes on the first day of illness.
- This reverses a pandemic-era measure that allowed self-certification for initial sick days.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz cited high sick leave rates as a competitive disadvantage for Germany.
- Medical groups have criticized the proposed change.
- Some members of the SPD party have also criticized the move.
Germany's coalition government is planning to reintroduce a requirement for employees to submit a doctor's note on the first day of illness. This move would reverse a measure that was relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which previously allowed employees to self-certify their absence for the initial days of sickness. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has indicated that the current high rates of sick leave are a significant factor contributing to Germany's competitive disadvantage.
Despite the Chancellor's reasoning, the proposal has already generated considerable backlash. Medical associations have criticized the plan, arguing that it places an unnecessary burden on both patients and the healthcare system. Some members within the Social Democratic Party (SPD), a partner in the coalition government, have also expressed their disapproval, suggesting that the measure could strain the relationship between employers and employees and potentially lead to employees coming to work while still ill.
The debate highlights a tension between the government's desire to boost economic productivity and concerns about employee well-being and the practicalities of healthcare access. The previous pandemic-era rule, which allowed for self-certification for a limited period, was intended to reduce the administrative load on doctors and make it easier for employees to take necessary sick leave without immediate medical consultation. The proposed reversal suggests a shift in priorities, focusing more on perceived abuses of sick leave rather than the flexibility afforded during the health crisis.