More Sick Days Due to Improved Absence Recording
Research
28.10.2024
ZEW Study Explains Increase in Sickness Absence Since 2022
The number of days absence due to sickness has markedly increased in Germany since 2022. A recent study by ZEW Mannheim shows that improved statistical recording of sick days has been a main driver of this increase, especially the “electronic certificate of incapacity for work” (eAU). At the same time, severe waves of colds played a role, as did a more conscious approach to respiratory diseases after the pandemic.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer employees have gone to work when ill with a cold,” explains Professor Nicolas Ziebarth, head of ZEW’s Research Unit “Labour Markets and Social Insurance”. But, according to Ziebarth, this is not the main reason why days of incapacity for work have increased since 2022: “The tracking of days of incapacity for work has much improved since January 2022. Actually, the increase is largely explained by the fact that sick notes are now recorded electronically.” Ziebarth also points out the potential benefit of adopting a more flexible approach to paid sick leave: “More flexibility, e.g. by enabling half-day sick leave, could cause sickness absence to decrease.”
The effects of Germany’s generous system of paid sick leave
Germany was one of the world’s first countries to introduce nationwide paid sick leave in 1884. Under the scheme, sick employees are guaranteed 100 per cent of their income for up to six weeks from the first day of absence. However, this has also led to Germany having one of the highest absence rates worldwide, even before the 2022 increase. In comparison, other European countries such as Sweden use waiting periods or reduced wage replacement rates, while the US, Canada, Japan, and South Korea do not have a nationwide paid sick leave at all. Reducing the wage replacement rate in Germany would also result in a marked decrease in absence time as is evident from earlier reforms introduced in the 1990s.
Measures to reduce absence
The study recommends a number of measures for achieving a lasting reduction in sickness absence. In addition to a more flexible approach to paid sick leave and improved education about the consequences of sickness absence for companies and society as a whole, the study also proposes to expand occupational health management. More rigorous checks by the medical service to assess incapacity for work and targeted preventive measures against Long Covid could help to further reduce absence.
