Where is the doctor’s note? Germany tightens workplace rules, no longer calling in sick by phone or text message

Please do not call in sick without a doctor’s note. Workplace rules are changing in Germany, and one of the first areas covered is generous sick leave policies. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has repeatedly expressed regret for the country’s policy, praised the change as a way to strengthen the country’s economy.“We can no longer accept disproportionately high rates of sick leave in our company,” Mertz told reporters. “We will abolish telephone sick leave and require medical documentation from the first day of illness,” he added.In addition to tougher sick leave requirements, Germany also passed reforms to gradually raise 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 sick leave. If the employee becomes ill due to another illness, the six weeks of paid leave will restart. This is in addition to the six weeks of vacation most employees receive. Now, the employee-friendly parameters of Germany’s work policy have been reformed to give the country a competitive edge that, according to Merz, Germany is losing.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has repeatedly complained about the country’s generous sick leave policy

German workers have reportedly taken advantage of this policy, with employees taking an average of 14.8 days of sick leave per year, according to a survey by German tabloid Bild. That’s about twice what the average American worker earns in the private sector, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.But the announcement of the policy was not all smooth sailing. Markus Blumenthal-Bell, president of the German Association of General Practitioners, said the need for doctor’s certificates could lead to a “catastrophic” blockage in the country’s healthcare system.The move is part of Merz’s 34-point plan to keep Germany’s economy stable, which has been in decline since the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the wars in Ukraine and Iran. He also introduced sweeping labour, tax and pension reforms and measures to cut red tape, as these initiatives will boost growth, jobs and competitiveness while maintaining social welfare protections. “We’re trying to cut red tape. We are trying to protect our welfare state and we are trying to ease the burden on workers and companies by lowering taxes. “The government aims to pass the main elements of the 34-point package in parliament by the end of the year, he said, adding that the ruling coalition agreed to economic reforms.