Debate initiated by Chancellor Merz – Are employees sick too often? It's not the fault of the people of Baden-Württemberg
stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.debatte-von-kanzler-merz-angestossen-sind-arbeitnehmer-zu-oft-krank-an-den-baden-wuerttembergern-liegt-s-nicht.a17f259b-0ae0-4a64-afbf-4fb9c75318c2.html
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Germany’s Sick Leave: Baden-Württemberg Leads in Low AbsencesIn 2025, Baden-Württemberg workers averaged 15.2 to 18.3 sick days, the lowest rates among all German states.
Key FactsFeb 2, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
- Chancellor Merz criticized the average of 14.5 sick days per employee in Germany as excessively high.
- Major health insurers report even higher averages, between 18.6 and 22 days, among their insured workers in 2025.
- Employees in Baden-Württemberg have the fewest absences, ranging from 15.2 to 18.3 days annually compared to other states.
- The most common causes of sick leave are respiratory infections, mental health issues, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Good working conditions and a strong corporate culture are central levers to reduce the sick rate.— Siegfried Euerle, regional manager of DAK, on the importance of working conditions for the sickness rate.
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Debate initiated by Chancellor Merz – Are employees sick too often? It's not the fault of the people of Baden-Württemberg
stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.debatte-von-kanzler-merz-angestossen-sind-arbeitnehmer-zu-oft-krank-an-den-baden-wuerttembergern-liegt-s-nicht.a17f259b-0ae0-4a64-afbf-4fb9c75318c2.html
Are employees sick too often? It's not the fault of the people of Baden-Württemberg
szbz.de/ueberregional/artikel/sind-arbeitnehmer-zu-oft-krank-an-den-baden-wuerttembergern-liegts-nicht
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