The chief executive of German financial services giant Allianz has called on Germany to withdraw sick pay on the first day of illness.
The policy – known in Germany as a waiting day – has not been implemented in the country for decades, although it is in place in other countries.
“I propose reintroducing the waiting day. This would mean that employees would bear the costs of the first day of illness themselves,” said Allianz chief executive Oliver Bäte on Monday.
He told the Handelsblatt newspaper that the move would relieve the burden on employers.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, employees in Germany were off sick for an average of 15.1 working days in 2023.
Figures from German health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit suggest that policyholder had 20 sick days on average in 2023, with more than half being written off work at least once.
