This high sick leave rate is particularly unusual for a summer quarter, which typically sees lower absenteeism due to warm weather and vacation periods.

Mental health issues, exacerbated by global crises and workplace pressures, have significantly affected employees, particularly in education and healthcare.

Musculoskeletal disorders were identified as the leading cause of sick leave, accounting for 101 sick days per 100 insured individuals.

Respiratory illnesses, such as colds and bronchitis, also contributed significantly to sick leave, with 64 sick days reported per 100 employees.

In Sachsen, the sickness rate remained high, with a notable increase in respiratory-related sick days compared to the previous year.

DAK-Gesundheit's regional head emphasized the need for a comprehensive discussion on the causes of high sick leave rates, criticizing quick fixes like eliminating telephone sick notes.

Mercedes-Benz's CEO highlighted that the high number of sick days taken by German workers is a disadvantage for the economy, indicating a broader concern among business leaders.

General practitioners and insurers have not found significant abuse of the telephone sick note system, despite the rising levels of sick leave.

From July to September 2024, the sickness rate in Germany was reported at 5%, with an average of 50 out of every 1,000 employees on sick leave daily.

A recent AOK study confirmed that sickness cases among employees in Germany are at a record high, further highlighting the issue.

The persistent economic weakness in Germany has intensified the impact of employee absenteeism, posing additional risks to businesses.

Despite a 9% increase in sick leave cases compared to the previous year, the average duration of illness was shorter, preventing an overall rise in work absences.