Skip to content
Opens in a new window
Coughing up: the economics of sick leave
05 August 2026

Coughing up: the economics of sick leave

Reuters Econ World

About
Germany is cracking down on sick leave to cut costs and boost growth. But could it backfire? Host Carmel Crimmins talks to economist Nicolas Ziebarth about the hidden economics of sick leave, from adverse selection and moral hazard to the trade-offs involved in calling in sick and working while ill.



Sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reuters Econ World ⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Catch Reuters Morning Bid ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For information on our privacy and data protection practices visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices