The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) is urgently calling on employers to actively address escalating rates of employee sick leave, highlighting a concerning trend of increasing mental health issues and musculoskeletal disorders. DGB board member Anja Piel voiced her concerns to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, emphasizing the need for proactive employer intervention through enhanced preventative measures, stress reduction programs and robust health protections for employees.
Piel specifically cautioned against a culture of suspicion targeting employees reporting illness, citing DGB surveys revealing that a staggering 63% of workers continued to work despite feeling unwell last year. This “presenteeism” is not only detrimental to employee wellbeing but also carries significant economic consequences, with documented follow-on costs – including potential infection spread and increased accident risk – estimated to be roughly double the expense of addressing legitimate sick leave.
While the recent rise in recorded sick leave has been partially attributed to the implementation of the new electronic sick leave certificate, which provides a more comprehensive data capture, the debate surrounding the ease of obtaining sick certification has intensified. Gitta Connemann, Chairwoman of the Mittelstand and Economic Union (MIT), pointed to the practice of telephone sick notes as a contributing factor. She argues that the barrier to obtaining sick leave has become overly low, advocating for a return to stricter protocols. Connemann suggested the adoption of modern video consultations, which she claims offer a more accurate diagnostic capability compared to telephone assessments, as a viable alternative.
The diverging perspectives reflect a growing political tension regarding employee health and productivity. While the DGB advocates for a supportive, preventative approach focusing on improved working conditions and employee wellbeing, the MIT emphasizes a need for accountability and stricter controls on sick leave processes. The core question remains: is the rise in reported illness indicative of systemic problems within the German workplace, or a consequence of overly lenient certification practices and what measures are necessary to achieve a sustainable and equitable solution?
