The German Review

The German Review

Vertrauen ist gut, Kontrolle ist besser!

Why Germany's new sick note proposal signals a deeper shift in the relationship between workers, employers and the state.

Rachel Stern's avatar
Rachel Stern
Jul 25, 2026
∙ Paid

As most parents of Kita kids inevitably experience at some point, I woke up one weekday morning a couple years ago with a stomach bug. Clearly unfit for work, I emailed my employer to report my illness. Because the nasty virus passed as quickly as it came, I was back at my desk the following day.

Unless you’ve been hiding out in a news cave, it’s hard to…

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2026 Jörg Luyken · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture