Germany announces new rules governing sick leave that require employees to see a doctor to obtain even a day off due to illness. The plans, announced on Thursday, are designed to address high levels of sick leave and to improve workplace productivity as Germany’s economy continues to face challenges. Under the proposals described in reporting, workers cannot simply report that they are ill to be granted time away; instead, verification through a medical visit is presented as necessary to take sick leave. The measure is framed as part of a broader policy push to reduce absenteeism and associated costs for employers and the wider economy. While details and implementation specifics are not provided in the excerpts supplied, the central focus is consistent across the coverage: tightening access to sick leave by increasing the role of doctors and limiting reliance on self-reporting. The reporting attributes the initiative to government action announced on Thursday, with the stated goals of cutting sickness-related absence and supporting productivity.