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Employees of the Kiel transport company KVG can earn up to 1,000 euros extra per year. The only requirement: they have to stay healthy.
One wave of illness follows the next. It seems as though someone is always sick – whether in your circle of friends, family or at work. In fact, the number of sick days in Germany is at a record high. To counteract this, the Kiel-based transport company KVG has now introduced bonuses based on the principle: the fewer sick days, the more money. The model will initially be tested for a year. The aim is to reduce the number of sick days. The shortage of skilled workers is also affecting local public transport. There is a shortage of more than 4,200 bus and tram drivers in Germany.
Bonus for a few sick days: How the attendance bonus works
Anyone who is not sick for a whole year will receive a 1,000 euro bonus from a Kiel transport company. (Symbolic image) © Bihlmayerfotografie/Imago
KVG bus drivers receive up to 250 euros per quarter in addition to their salary, provided they have not been sick for a single day. A whole year without a day off would then bring in a whopping 1,000 euros bonus. However, as soon as a day of sickness occurs, there is less money. For up to two days, an additional 200 euros is added to the account. It is “only” 125 euros extra for three to four absences. As soon as this limit is exceeded, there is no extra money at all. So anyone who is sick for more than four days in a quarter gets nothing. Tesla is planning a similar project for employees with little absence.
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First quarter over: KVG draws positive conclusion
According to the Kiel-based company, around 500 employees have now received the first bonus for the months of May to August. However, more than 300 were not entitled to the extra money. According to the company’s spokeswoman, Andrea Kobarg, the so-called attendance bonus has led to an improvement in sick leave. The tactic will initially be tested for a year.
In case of illness: Ten things you need to know about sick leave
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Kobarg also calls the bonus a great reward for those who have no days off, reports the NDROne disadvantage of the bonus idea could be that employees come to work when they are sick so as not to waste the bonus. However, the KVG does not expect that employees who are sick will drag themselves to work just to get the bonus. It remains to be seen whether the attendance bonus will remain in place after the test year.
