Like in germany. I guess, in most european countries "social" just doesn't equal "communist" like in the USA.

It's the same for me where I work (in Canada), my employer requires a note after 3 days... To me it make's sense.

In the US it’s not as easy as in other countries. Some employers don’t pay decent wages and sick time. Others not only require doctor’s notes, they even want you to call in sick when they’re open, even if you know you’re sick well before then, then call in again several times a day while you’re out, and check your number on Caller ID to make sure you’re home. As to the note, you have to get an appointment or go to a walk-in clinic. That means getting up from your sick bed and spending anywhere from $10-$30 (Insured) up to $100+ (uninsured) for the appointment—-plus the cost of any prescriptions you may get (cost depends on your insurance if you have it, otherwise you pay full—-inflated—- price). So, for many Americans, there’s a huge financial hit (unpaid days plus cost of doctor’s appointment and prescriptions) attached to this policy. Finally, it’s demeaning to treat adults—-who know if they’re sick and how long it’ll take them to get better—-like children playing hooky.

It is also normal in France and Belgium.

You guys probably have health care. Getting a doctors note for an American without health insurance is like a $150 venture. Not worth it for the uninsured.

Same in Bulgaria. It's both to encourage accountability and to make sure employees are in good health and not spreading viruses at the office. You also have 3 days to present your doctor's note to your employer. Seems perfectly reasonable to me. But we also have 90 days of paid sick leave (which is split between the employer and the government).

Exactly same in Finland

That's still a bit f****d up. You are sick and you have to go to the doctor (1st day, in France), spread your germs and run to get an appointment when you feel so bad... Sometimes I just use my vacation days when I'm sick to avoid the appointment run (finding an appointment is not that easy where I am, and if you find one you will probably wait for hours)

This comment has been deleted.

That's not quite right. The six weeks only start again if you have a NEW illness. If you've had a particular illness and you had your six weeks of fully paid leave you can't just go back for one day and the six weeks start again. In that case you'll get 'Krankengeld' instead of 'Lohnweiterzahlun'.

The problem for worker in the U.S. is that we have no guaranteed access to healthcare, whether due to financial/health insurance issues or just access to a health care provider.

You can be sick for six weeks straight and not be replaced?