According to a recent study by the employer-related Institute of German Economics (IW), the growing number of sick leave due to the Omicron variant of the corona virus will cost companies billions.
Last year, the companies paid a total of 77.7 billion euros in gross salaries and employer contributions to social security for their sick employees.
"Because Omikron is increasingly responsible for staff failures, another 3.6 billion euros are expected to be added this year," predicted the IW experts in the study published on Friday.
The "Rheinische Post" had previously reported on it.
Unlike previous variants, the Omicron variant has increasingly affected the working age cohorts since autumn 2021.
The sick leave in 2022 is therefore expected to be 4.7 percent higher than in the previous year solely due to the omicron cases.
"In relation to the costs of continuing to pay wages in 2021, employers must therefore reckon with around 3.6 billion euros, which will also have to be paid this year for employees suffering from the Omikron variant".
In the event of illness, the employer continues to pay the salary for up to six weeks.