Germany’s leading trade union confederation, the DGB, has strongly criticized proposals from CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann regarding the potential abolition of telephone sick leave certifications.
DGB board member Anja Piel, in a statement to the Tagesspiegel, described Linnemann’s suggestion as “completely unfounded” and indicative of a lack of understanding regarding the realities faced by working people. Piel asserted that Linnemann misconstrues his role by aligning with prominent employer representatives and broadly suspecting all employees of abusing the telephone sick leave system.
Piel maintained that telephone sick leave has proven effective, facilitating healthcare access, reducing stress and minimizing potential contagion in crowded waiting rooms. She highlighted that the more significant issue is the increasing prevalence of presenteeism – employees attending work while sick due to high workloads – which endangers both individual health and the wellbeing of colleagues. Piel argued that employees require employers who prioritize occupational health and safety rather than unsubstantiated accusations.
Linnemann raised the issue during a closed-door meeting of the CDU’s Rhineland-Palatinate branch, citing rising non-wage labor costs as a justification for social security reforms. He questioned the practicality of telephone certifications, suggesting that individuals should be required to visit a doctor when unwell. His remarks echo previous calls from Steffen Kampeter, head of the Federation of German Employers’ Associations, for the system to be scrapped.
