Civilian employees in Bundeswehr take significantly more sick leave than soldiers. According to Siemtje Möller, Parliamentary State Secretary, German Ministry of Defence, the average absent time due to illness among civilian employees in 2021 was 19.8 days, while soldiers were on sick leave for 5.5 days in the same year. This picture emerged in the previous years covered. In 2020, civilian employees recorded an average of 19.9 days of sick leave, while soldiers recorded 5.3 days. In 2019, civilian employees even recorded an average of 22.9 days, while soldiers recorded only 6.6 days.
Möller did not go into possible causes, despite the clear difference as well as the resulting opportunities to increase efficiency if Bundeswehr succeeds in bringing the civilian sick leave rate in line with the military one.
Dorothee Frank, Head of editorial team
