Companies Hire Detectives To Track Employees

Amid economic challenges, German companies increasingly hire detectives to investigate long-term sick leave, questioning its authenticity. Detective agency Lentz Group handles around 1,200 cases annually, reflecting rising demand.

German sick leave surged from 11.1 days in 2021 to 15.1 in 2023, reducing GDP by 0.8%. Health insurer TK reported a record 14.13 sick days per worker in early 2024, while OECD data shows Germans lost 6.8% of working hours to illness, surpassing other EU nations.

Experts link this trend to pandemic-era relaxed sick leave policies, enabling misuse. German labor laws grant full pay for six weeks of sick leave, burdening employers financially. Some workers misuse leave for personal activities, sparking debates on fairness. 

However, experts emphasize addressing root causes like workplace stress and health issues. The discussion has gained traction in China, where sick leave rules are stricter and tied to pay deductions.