Pediatricians in Germany are calling for an abolition of sick leave for children with minor illnesses. Up until now, parents have had to present a medical certificate on the child's first day of illness.
The health insurance company then covers a large part of the loss of earnings and pays child sickness benefit - usually 90 percent of the lost net wages. Doctors' practices are extremely unsuitable as "prosecution authorities for employers' associations," says Michael Hubmann, president of the pediatricians' association BVKJ.