Germany is grappling with a rising trend of employees taking sick leaves, with the average number of sick days per employee increasing significantly. This phenomenon has sparked concerns among employers, with some attributing it to the ease of obtaining sick notes from doctors.
However, experts argue that the root cause lies in the increasing pressure and stress at work, as well as the growing prevalence of mental health issues. The German Trade Unions have emphasized the need to address the underlying issues rather than simply accusing employees of abusing the sick leave system.