Employers Seek to Limit Sick Pay - German employers push for radical sick leave reforms ahead of election
Rainer Dulger, head of Germany’s Confederation of Employers’ Associations (BDA), has called for major changes to paid sick leave rules. In an interview with Die Welt on 21 November 2025, he outlined strict proposals ahead of the upcoming federal election. His demands follow record-high absenteeism and rising costs for businesses across the country.
Dulger’s reforms target several key areas of sick leave policy. He wants to stop premium payments for night, Sunday, and overtime work during periods of illness. Another proposal would cap paid sick leave at six weeks per year, replacing the current system where employees receive six weeks per individual illness.
He also pushed for stricter controls on sick notes. Dulger suggested banning phone consultations for issuing medical certificates, recommending video calls instead. To reduce abuse, he urged the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Funds to carry out more frequent and faster checks on incapacity claims. The calls come as German companies face mounting financial pressure. In 2024, sickness-related absences cost businesses €134 billion in lost production. Employers also paid out €82 billion in sick leave compensation that year, up sharply since 2022. On average, each employee took 20.8 sick days in 2024, adding to the economic strain.
Dulger’s proposals aim to cut costs and tighten oversight of sick leave. If implemented, the changes would mark a significant shift in how Germany handles workplace absences. The debate is now set to play a role in the run-up to the Bundestagswahl.
