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Sick leave Complicates Economic Recovery
Germany’s high rate of sick leave is hindering economic recovery.In 2023, the sick leave rate reached 5.7%, approximately two percentage points higher than the average between 2003 adn 2019, according to the Association of research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (VFA).The economic cost of this increased absenteeism is ample, estimated at one-third to nearly one percent of annual economic output.This translates to a total loss of up to €160 billion over the past four years, not including the financial burden on health insurance funds. VFA
With a shrinking workforce, Germany cannot afford to have approximately 300,000 employees absent due to illness. The VFA advocates for increased preventative measures, such as widespread influenza vaccinations, to mitigate the impact.Illness-related absences significantly impact production, especially in a period of sluggish growth, further delaying economic recovery.
A significant increase in sick leave was observed between 2021 and 2022, largely attributed to respiratory illnesses like influenza, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and COVID-19 infections. While the sick leave rate has slightly decreased since then, it remains elevated.
Telemedicine Sick Notes Under Scrutiny
The VFA reports a continued increase in doctor visits since 2022, suggesting that the official sick leave numbers may not fully reflect the extent of illness. Furthermore, stronger flu seasons globally and an unusually severe RSV wave in Germany in 2023 contributed to the high rates of illness. The controversial practice of issuing sick notes via telephone is not considered a major factor, as it has been available since 2020, before the surge in sick leave in 2022.
The high number of sick days has sparked a debate about work ethic in germany. Federal minister of Finance Christian Lindner recently expressed concern over the average of 14.5 sick days taken per employee annually, questioning the necessity of telephone sick notes. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced a review of the regulation. The Federal Ministry of Health