Hans van LeeuwenJul 3, 2026 – 10.33amLondon | German workers will have to report to a doctor in person to get a sick note on the first day they are ill, under strict proposals from Chancellor Friedrich Merz.The tough new rules, aimed at boosting productivity in Germany’s stagnant economy, replace a system where employees could get a note by phoning a doctor and did not need to do so until their third day off work.The Telegraph LondonSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Germany bans workers from calling in sick
New rules designed to boost the stagnating economy require ill employees to get a doctors’ note immediately.
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