People on HN don't understand what Germany's like these days. I know people who have been off work for over a year still getting paid quite handsomely, even though they're perfectly fit to work. There's been a lady in Berlin recently who has been on sick leave for two years but still tried to run for some office and was defended for it by the usual suspects. It's really out of control. Doctors are handing out sick notes like candy. Germany has developed a really unhealthy relationship to work ethics after years of being coddled with benefits and victim ideology.