Overview
- Official finance department data show 36.8 calendar sick days per employee in 2024, roughly 26.2–26.3 workdays, exceeding BKK averages of 22.3 for all workers and 25.5 in public administration.
- Absences vary widely by function, with park enforcement averaging 77.3 days, prisons and district regulatory offices about 50, and police and fire services over 40; employees in Berlin-Mitte averaged 46.5 days.
- Roughly 67% of recorded sickness cases were short-term episodes of up to three days during which no medical certificate is required.
- An August 11 report indicates civil servants logged 40.1 calendar days on average versus 34.1 for salaried staff.
- Union and dbb representatives cite overwork, vacancies and age profile, noting around 400 of 800 district regulatory posts are unfilled and about 40,000 of 135,000 employees are due to retire in coming years.