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Karenztage und Absenkung der Lohnersatzrate: Eine ökonomische Einordnung

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  • Ziebarth, Nicolas R.

Abstract

Dieser Policy Brief ordnet zunächst die aktuelle Diskussion um die Einführung eines Karenztages sowie eine Kürzung der Lohnfortzahlung (= Absenkung der Lohnersatzrate) aus ökonomischer Sicht ein. In beiden Fällen geht es um staatliche Mindestabsicherungen im Krankheitsfall für abhängig Beschäftigte der Privatwirtschaft. Bei einem Karenztag gibt es keinerlei Pflicht zur Lohnfortzahlung während des ersten Tages einer jeden Krankheitsepisode während die Kürzung der Lohnfortzahlung auf 80 Prozent einen Lohnverlust von 20 Prozent während der Dauer der Krankheit bedeuten würde. Eine allgemeine Absenkung der Lohnersatzrate dominiert aus wohlfahrtsökonomischer Sicht die Einführung von Karenztagen. Allerdings würde eine solche Maßnahme - insbesondere nach den Erfahrungen der letzten Absenkung 1996 - nicht zielführend sein und zu unerwünschten Nebenwirkungen führen. Stattdessen sollten Unternehmen mit passgenauen Maßnahmen experimentieren. Gleichzeitig sollte der Gesetzesgeber durch die Einführung von "Teilzeitkrankschreibungen" - graduellen Krankschreibungen, die auf die Restarbeitsfähigkeit abzielen - die deutsche Lohnfortzahlung nach skandinavischem Vorbild modernisieren.

Suggested Citation

  • Ziebarth, Nicolas R., 2025. "Karenztage und Absenkung der Lohnersatzrate: Eine ökonomische Einordnung," ZEW policy briefs 14/2025, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:zewpbs:333607
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    References listed on IDEAS

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