“No punishment for employers, but there are risks”: Stijn Baert about Arizona’s plan to reduce absenteeism due to illness

To reduce the high number of long-term sick people on the labor market, Arizona is considering a rule whereby employers would pay 30 percent of the money to their sick employees for not one but four months. Labor expert Stijn Baert (UGent) understands why and believes that social security should not pay for cheaters, although he also sees risks. “Too much pressure on employees can lead to a premature return. In the long term, this can lead to higher costs.”

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