Germany bans sick leave by phone

TT

 

Published 12:52

  

Friedrich Merz and his coalition partners in Berlin on Thursday. Photo: Michael Kappeler/AP/TT

Requirement for a medical certificate on the first day of illness. This was one of the news items when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented a reform package on Thursday.

The rules mean that employees can no longer report sick by phone, but need a medical certificate from the first day of illness.

“We cannot accept these high sick leave rates at our companies,” Friedrich Merz said during a press conference, according to AP.

The measure is part of 34 reforms aimed at boosting the German economy. The package was presented by the CDU leader and his coalition government on Thursday.

In addition to the proposal for sick pay, proposals for tax cuts and a review of the pension system were also presented.