{"id":108966,"date":"2026-04-16T10:27:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T13:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/germans-could-face-wage-cuts-for-taking-sick-days-under-new-proposals-euro-weekly-news\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T10:27:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T13:27:47","slug":"germans-could-face-wage-cuts-for-taking-sick-days-under-new-proposals-euro-weekly-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/germans-could-face-wage-cuts-for-taking-sick-days-under-new-proposals-euro-weekly-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Germans could face wage cuts for taking sick days under new proposals \u00ab Euro Weekly News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n Germany has long offered stronger income protection during illness than many other countries. Photo credits: Alexander Gafarro\/Shutterstock <\/p>\n

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German workers could face having wages reduced for taking sick days under proposals being discussed by political leaders and business groups, according to reports in the German and international press. No national law has been passed, and no formal legislation has yet been introduced, but the debate has focused on whether current rules are too costly for employers and the wider economy.<\/p>\n

The discussion follows renewed attention on sickness absence in Germany, where employees took an average of 14.8 sick days per year, one of the higher recorded rates in Europe according to figures cited in recent reports. Supporters of reform argue that long absences and short-term sickness leave create pressure for businesses already dealing with weak economic growth and labour shortages. Germany has long offered stronger income protection during illness than many other countries. In most cases, employees who are unable to work due to sickness continue to receive their full salary from their employer for up to six weeks. If illness continues beyond that period, statutory health insurers can then provide sickness benefit under separate rules.<\/p>\n

First-Day Pay Changes Reportedly Under Consideration<\/h2>\n

One proposal reported in the media would allow employers to cut or remove pay from the first day of sickness<\/a><\/strong> absence in some cases. Another reported idea would reward workers with low absence records through an additional day of annual leave. Neither measure has been approved, and ministers have not announced a final policy.<\/p>\n

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