New Labor Market Regulations
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced a significant overhaul of the nation’s labor regulations, targeting the country’s high rates of sick leave. As part of a broader 34-point plan aimed at revitalizing Germany’s stagnant economy, the government will mandate that employees visit a doctor in person to obtain a sick note, effectively banning the practice of securing medical leave via telephone. The new rules are scheduled to take effect in January.
The reform comes as official data from the Berlin-based IGES Institute indicates that the average German worker now takes 19.5 sick days per year, a sharp increase from approximately 13 days in 2018. Chancellor Merz described the current level of absenteeism as a competitive disadvantage, stating, “We can no longer afford this competitive disadvantage caused by long absences from work.”
Economic Stakes and Social Debate
The policy change is part of a larger package of reforms negotiated by the governing coalition, which includes Merz’s conservative alliance and the center-left Social Democrats. The government argues that stricter reporting requirements will restore “fairness and functionality” to the labor market. Beyond the sick leave ban, the coalition is pursuing broader tax, pension, and bureaucratic reforms intended to stimulate growth, job creation, and national competitiveness.
However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from medical professionals. Markus Blumenthal-Beier, head of the German Association of General Practitioners, warned that the requirement for an in-person visit for even minor illnesses could lead to a “catastrophic” backlog in the national healthcare system. Critics also argue that the policy risks stigmatizing legitimate illness and unfairly shifting the burden of economic challenges onto the workforce.
Contextualizing German Absenteeism
Data suggests that the rise in recorded absences is partially attributable to systemic changes, including the introduction of a digital sick note system (eAU) in 2023, which has improved reporting accuracy. Furthermore, public health behaviors have shifted in the post-pandemic era, with employees more inclined to stay home to prevent the spread of illness. While Germany’s absenteeism is high, OECD data indicates that it is not the highest in Europe; countries such as Norway, Spain, and Slovenia record significantly higher rates of time off for health reasons.