Sickness: Clearly above common – that is how typically workers within the Bundestag report sick | EUROtoday

Sickness charges in Germany have elevated noticeably because the pandemic – however particularly within the federal authorities. While workers throughout the nation have been lacking a median of 10.9 days in 2020, the determine is now 14.8 days. In a few of Germany’s most vital authorities, illness charges are even larger.

In 2024, workers within the highest federal authorities have been absent as a result of sickness for a median of 15.2 days, and within the subordinate authorities it was 21.1 days. This is proven by figures from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, which can be found to the well being pro-newsletter of the information journal “Politico”. For comparability: in 2020 the values ​​right here have been 13.3 and 18.6 days respectively.

The Federal Council recorded the very best variety of sick days in 2024 with 25.2 days, adopted by the Bundestag with 22.3 days. In the Ministry of the Interior it was 17.8 days, within the Ministry of Defense 15.9 days and within the Ministry of Finance 14 days. In the Federal Environment Ministry, nonetheless, days of absence as a result of sickness have been solely 7.4 days.

The CDU and SPD argue a couple of answer

In view of the excessive degree of illness in Germany, the CDU determined at its occasion convention final weekend that phone sick go away needs to be abolished. “Generous continued payment of wages, low fears of job loss and false incentives such as sick leave over the telephone are also considered reasons for the high sickness rate,” mentioned the explanations for the applying. However, the coalition accomplice SPD rejects the transfer.

“Sick leave by telephone makes absolutely sense,” mentioned the parliamentary managing director of the SPD parliamentary group within the Bundestag, Dirk Wiese, to the “Bild” newspaper. Instead, motion needs to be taken in opposition to “abusive online sick notes”.

Louis Westendarp is a senior reporter for Politico’s well being pro-newsletter.