Suche
Mein Konto
Sick or working? Discussion about new rules for sick leave!
On January 8, 2025, employees will discuss a new model that will enable work while on sick leave. What do the Viennese think about this?
Sick or working? Discussion about new rules for sick leave!
In Austria, a suggestion from industrial psychologist Andreas Hermann is causing a stir: Instead of staying at home when sick, employees on sick leave should be able to continue working if this is possible for them. This could represent a serious turnaround in how sick leave is dealt with, which costs the economy every year. While Hermann is looking for a possible answer to economic pressures, the reactions of the Viennese are mixed. “If people are sick, they should stay at home,” says Reinhard, while Julia criticizes the fact that such thoughts are already a reality for the self-employed. Marie, on the other hand, advocates a complete cure and is skeptical about the proposals, which may not meet with much enthusiasm among the population Today.at reported.
Increasing sickness rates require innovative solutions
The situation is similarly tense in Germany. According to an evaluation by DAK-Gesundheit, around 30.5 percent of employees called in sick at least once in the summer of 2023, which is primarily due to respiratory diseases. The Kieler Verkehrsgesellschaft (KVG) is confronted with an alarming increase in sick leave: on some days up to 20 percent of the workforce was not at work. To counteract this, the KVG implemented an attendance bonus that provides up to 1,000 euros annually for employees who do not miss a single day. But there is a risk that employees will struggle to go to work despite being sick just to receive the bonus. However, KVG head Hauke Evers is optimistic that this will not happen t-online.de reported.
The sick leave crisis also has far-reaching effects on public transport, where people rely on transport options. Increasing absenteeism can lead to significant bottlenecks, highlighting the need for a future-oriented solution. How these challenges can be overcome in practice remains to be seen. The KVG plans to initially test its measures for one year to assess the effects.