Germany Tightens Sick Leave Rules as Workplace Health Initiatives Gain Momentum

Berlin – A landmark shift in German sick leave policy is set to take effect after the governing coalition approved a measure on July 2 that will require employees to provide a medical certificate from the first day of illness. The change eliminates the current practice of telephone sick notes and replaces it with mandatory in-person attestation starting on day one, rather than the existing rule that only requires a certificate after the fourth calendar day unless an employer requests one earlier.

Business groups have reacted with cautious approval. The Unternehmer Baden-Württemberg (UBW) praised the decision as a signal against abuse, pointing to data from DAK which shows an average of 19.5 sick days per employee in 2025. Yet some major industrial firms, including ebm-papst and Ziehl-Abegg, continue to rely on individual company-level solutions. Employment lawyers caution that existing contracts with more lenient rules may remain in force under the principle of Günstigkeitsprinzip, where collectively bargained advantages for workers cannot be overridden.

The tightening of sick leave rules highlights how seriously authorities now treat workplace compliance. For UK employers, keeping risk assessments up to date is equally critical. A free Risk Assessment Toolkit provides 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists to document hazards properly and stay legally compliant. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit

Parallel to the new attestation rules, the digitalisation of health clearance certificates has already been implemented. Since July 1, companies can request the electronic version of the Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung through payroll software or the social insurance portal, streamlining administrative processes.

The tightening of sick leave rules coincides with a notable expansion of mental health services in the workplace. The LWL-Klinik Münster has expanded its department for psychosomatic medicine from 18 day-care places launched in 2021 to 27 today. The clinic now focuses on eating disorders, chronic pain, and sleep disorders, with treatment lasting between ten and twelve weeks. Plans are underway for a dedicated programme targeting patients with work-related trauma.

In parallel, safety training is adapting to new demands. The Krause Academy offers seminars on inspecting ladders, mobile scaffolding, and personal fall protection equipment. Its offerings now include compact and practical sessions alongside two-day combination courses, with in-house options available. New to the programme are metal-free, water-repellent safety shoes from Jalas, which combine sports-shoe comfort with the EN ISO 20345:2022 S3S standard.

Digital tools are gaining ground in the skilled trades. The woodworking company Schreinerei Walter in Pfedelbach has integrated the browser-based assistant Splix, developed by Jochen Rau, into daily operations. The system generates risk assessments in short order. Since the company was taken over in 2022, turnover has tripled, and digital occupational safety is now embedded in workflows.

Geotextile testing for flood and erosion protection is underway at Kiwa TBU GmbH in Greven, an affiliated institute of Münster University of Applied Sciences. The lab derives long-term forecasts for dyke and embankment stability from short-term tests, with findings applied to infrastructure including the A1 motorway and the Altenberge bypass.

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Personnel developments in occupational medicine are also reshaping the field. Dr. Jana Kreß, previously lead company doctor at DEKRA SE, took over as head of the Mönchengladbach office on July 1. The service provider notes that flexible working hours are crucial for attracting medical professionals in this sector.

For urban planners, new research into anti-terror barriers is moving away from conventional solutions. Crash tests in Münster have shown that standard cars are ineffective as barriers against ramming attacks. Experts now recommend cityscape-friendly alternatives such as artworks or planters weighing up to ten tonnes. A national network of certified specialists will assist municipalities and businesses with implementation.

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