Lazy German Workers Take Endless Sick Days – But Now the Government Wants To Toughen Up Legislation and Tackle Absenteeism
Not to mention the four-day week!
While Germany was once Europe’s powerhouse economy and a nation with a real work ethic, those days are long gone.
Nowadays, German workers take an average of 15 paid ‘sick days’ off work per year.
Now, Berlin wants to tighten-up the country’s illness-leave rules — which allow virtually limitless sick days.
Unpopular Chancellor Merz is vowing to combat soaring absentee rates and boost a decaying economy.
Germans will soon think twice before calling in sick, as they could have their wages docked under plans to toughen up the workforce. https://t.co/NziLraV3CF
— Toby Young (@toadmeister) April 14, 2026
The New York Post reported:
“Chancellor Friedrich Merz is mulling legislation that would allow employers to dock the pay of workers, beginning from the first day they call out sick, Fortune.com reported.
It would be a radical change for a nation known for pro-worker policies and where a four-day work week has become normal.”
‘I am with the Germans on this one!’
Former The Apprentice contestant Reece Donnelly and Head of Communications and External Affairs at ASI Joanna Marchong debate whether the UK should ban sick days, as Germany announces plans for new restrictions on absenteeism. pic.twitter.com/C7Pg3mlQ8T
— GB News (@GBNEWS) February 24, 2026
“’Work-life balance and a four-day week will not be enough to maintain our country’s current level of prosperity in the future, which is why we need to work harder’, Merz said in a speech about absentee rates earlier this year.
The proposal comes as a study revealed that Deutschland workers take an average of 14.8 sick days a year — more than once a month, and four times that of the United Kingdom.”
Read more:
You can email Paul Serran here, and read more of Paul Serran's articles here.