4 ms·

I could be wrong, but the required note from the doctor isn't paternalism, it's (I think) related to how workplace insurances and the healthcare system work in

by antpls 7y ago

I could be wrong, but the required note from the doctor isn't paternalism, it's (I think) related to how workplace insurances and the healthcare system work in Europe, requiring proof for everything. With the epidemy, remote consultation with a doctor will be more mainstream, it will be easier to book a quick 20 minutes consultation and get the dematerialized note. In my opinion, requiring people to consult a professional only has benefit. People get help, employers get proof, doctors get work.

MandieD 7y ago
As of a few days ago, we in Bavaria are now able to get sick notes from our primary care doctors (Hausärzte) by phone for absences up to 7 days. My employer, a large manufacturer, usually requires a doctor’s note for illnesses over three days, and I think that’s standard in Germany. Otherwise, think you have a cold? Stay home a day or two and drop the boss an email as soon as you can - no one wants you spreading it around! If I did that more than a few times a year, my boss might start requiring notes, but as long as we don’t seem to be abusing it, they assume we want to do our jobs when we can. As for COVID-19, they’re being even more explicit: if you’ve recently been to Italy or other heavily-impacted place or have any of the symptoms, you must stay away from all company sites for 14 days, doing WFH if your position allows for it, or getting written off sick if you can’t (people actually running the machines or inspecting parts)
clarry 7y ago
> In my opinion, requiring people to consult a professional only has benefit. People get help, employers get proof, doctors get work. I think it only has downsides. If people really need help, they can get it even if they're not required to consult. When they don't really need help, they're just wasting everyone's time. Doctors around here (.fi) seem to have more than enough of work as it is, so there's no reason to create additional busywork for them; they've got more important things to attend to. Otherwise we might as well start breaking windows. I know people who go to work (and school..) sick because getting permission to be sick and stay home is a PITA. Sigh.
skocznymroczny 7y ago
I think it's related to how sick days are paid in Europe. In Poland, I get paid 80% of my salary on sick days, as such, to avoid abuse you need to go to the doctor to get it verified. My understanding is that in the US it's much easier to get a sick leave, but you don't get paid for its duration.
- frockington1 7y ago
  In US, most office employees get a set number of sick days year, get paid in full and all that is need is a text or email. I think I get 12, it's never an issue so I may have accrued more by now.
  - username90 7y ago
    In that case they are just vacation days with a different name.
- bildung 7y ago
  Exactly. At least in Germany sick days (for the first weeks) are paid for by the health insurance companies, which need a means to know this is a particular case for a payout, hence the need for the note.

by antpls 7y ago

MandieD 7y ago

As of a few days ago, we in Bavaria are now able to get sick notes from our primary care doctors (Hausärzte) by phone for absences up to 7 days. My employer, a large manufacturer, usually requires a doctor’s note for illnesses over three days, and I think that’s standard in Germany. Otherwise, think you have a cold? Stay home a day or two and drop the boss an email as soon as you can - no one wants you spreading it around! If I did that more than a few times a year, my boss might start requiring notes, but as long as we don’t seem to be abusing it, they assume we want to do our jobs when we can. As for COVID-19, they’re being even more explicit: if you’ve recently been to Italy or other heavily-impacted place or have any of the symptoms, you must stay away from all company sites for 14 days, doing WFH if your position allows for it, or getting written off sick if you can’t (people actually running the machines or inspecting parts)

clarry 7y ago

> In my opinion, requiring people to consult a professional only has benefit. People get help, employers get proof, doctors get work. I think it only has downsides. If people really need help, they can get it even if they're not required to consult. When they don't really need help, they're just wasting everyone's time. Doctors around here (.fi) seem to have more than enough of work as it is, so there's no reason to create additional busywork for them; they've got more important things to attend to. Otherwise we might as well start breaking windows. I know people who go to work (and school..) sick because getting permission to be sick and stay home is a PITA. Sigh.

skocznymroczny 7y ago

I think it's related to how sick days are paid in Europe. In Poland, I get paid 80% of my salary on sick days, as such, to avoid abuse you need to go to the doctor to get it verified. My understanding is that in the US it's much easier to get a sick leave, but you don't get paid for its duration.

frockington1 7y ago
In US, most office employees get a set number of sick days year, get paid in full and all that is need is a text or email. I think I get 12, it's never an issue so I may have accrued more by now.
- username90 7y ago
  In that case they are just vacation days with a different name.
bildung 7y ago
Exactly. At least in Germany sick days (for the first weeks) are paid for by the health insurance companies, which need a means to know this is a particular case for a payout, hence the need for the note.