Overview
- The government proposal, reported Wednesday, would abolish telephone sick notes and make a doctor’s Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung compulsory from the first day of absence.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz has advanced the plan as a measure to reduce sick-leave rates that he says harm firms’ competitiveness.
- The Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung and many doctors warn the rule would flood already stretched GP practices with administrative visits and divert time from medical care.
- Patient groups and people with chronic conditions say the requirement would force incapacitated patients to seek in‑person certificates, risking worse health outcomes and practical barriers such as travel and waiting rooms.
- A Civey survey for Allright found widespread presenteeism and fear of having to justify sickness, officials clarified that ministers on active duty are not covered by an attest duty while MPs remain subject to separate parliamentary attendance rules, and the proposal is not yet final.