luckytran , 
Last year, workers took 20 sick days as Germany's economy shrank by 0.3%. A study suggests with less sick leave, the economy would have grown by 0.5%.
This is why the US wants to weaken COVID guidance despite no change in science. They want to risk worker health for the economy.
Source:
https://www.n-tv.de/wirtschaft/Studie-Rekord-Krankenstand-fuehrte-zur-Rezession-article24690123.html