Jens Baas, the CEO of Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), has called on employers in Germany to take greater responsibility for employee health in a discussion about sickness absence. He noted that long‑term illnesses such as depression and burnout are frequently linked to job satisfaction and workplace strain, and that companies can significantly reduce their employees’ risk of illness by improving working conditions.
Baas also rejected the government’s inquiry into the possibility of telephone-only sickness certificates, arguing that the debate shifts attention away from the real issue. He pointed out that short‑term illnesses, like colds that could be certified over the phone, account for a much smaller share of total absenteeism compared with long‑term conditions.
According to TK data, about 38 % of all sickness reports in 2024 lasted fewer than four days, but they represented only 6.9 % of total absentee days. In contrast, the 3.5 % of reports lasting more than six weeks accounted for roughly 45 % of overall absences.