In Germany, an AU certificate is an abbreviation for Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung, which translates to a certificate of incapacity for work. It is an official medical document issued by a doctor that certifies an employee is unable to work due to illness.
Understanding the AU Certificate
The AU certificate serves as crucial proof for both employees and employers when an employee is ill and cannot come to work. As per German labor law, employees are generally required to notify their employer immediately of their illness and, if the incapacity for work lasts longer than three calendar days, they must present an AU certificate. However, employers can request this certificate earlier, even from the first day of absence.
Evolution of the AU: From Yellow Certificate to eAU
Historically, the AU certificate was widely known as the "yellow certificate" due to its distinctive yellow paper form. This physical document had to be sent by the employee to their employer, often by mail or in person, which could be cumbersome and delay processing.
Key changes highlighted by the transition:
- Previous System (Yellow Certificate): Employees received three copies: one for the employer, one for the health insurance company, and one for their own records. They were responsible for ensuring the employer and health insurance company received their respective copies.
- Current System (eAU/eAU): This marks a significant digital transformation. The "yellow certificate" is now largely being replaced by a digital version (eAU/eAU). This streamlines the process, reducing administrative burden and potential delays.
Key Aspects and Practical Insights
The AU certificate is fundamental for managing sick leave in Germany and ensures employees receive continued wage payments during their illness (sick pay).
- Issuance: Only a licensed doctor can issue an AU certificate after examining the patient and determining their incapacity for work.
- Content: The certificate specifies the start and end dates of the incapacity for work. Importantly, it does not disclose the medical diagnosis to the employer, respecting patient privacy.
- Employee Obligations:
- Immediately inform the employer about the illness and expected duration.
- Obtain an AU certificate from a doctor if the illness extends beyond the employer's specified period (commonly 3 days).
- Ensure the certificate's details are correct.
- Employer Obligations:
- Accept the valid AU certificate as proof of illness.
- Process sick pay according to legal requirements.
- For eAU, retrieve the digital certificate from the employee's health insurance.
How the eAU System Works
The digital eAU system simplifies the process for all parties involved:
- Doctor's Role: When a doctor determines a patient's incapacity for work, they digitally transmit the AU data to the patient's statutory health insurance company.
- Health Insurance's Role: The health insurance company receives and stores the digital AU data.
- Employer's Role: The employer can then digitally retrieve the AU data for their employee directly from the health insurance company. This eliminates the need for the employee to physically submit any paper document to their employer.
This digital workflow enhances efficiency, reduces paper waste, and minimizes potential errors or delays in transmitting the certificate.
Old vs. New AU System Overview
To highlight the shift, here's a comparison of the traditional "yellow certificate" system and the modern eAU:
| Feature | Old System (Yellow Certificate) | New System (eAU - Digital Incapacity Certificate) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Physical paper document | Digital data transmission |
| Transmission to Employer | Employee's responsibility (mail, in person) | Automated (Employer retrieves from health insurance) |
| Transmission to Insurance | Employee's responsibility | Automated (Doctor sends to health insurance) |
| Proof for Employer | Physical paper copy | Digital data record |
| Ease of Use | Manual, potential delays | Streamlined, faster, less administrative burden |
| Environmental Impact | Paper consumption | Paperless, environmentally friendly |
The AU certificate, particularly in its new digital form, is a cornerstone of German employment law, ensuring clarity and efficiency in managing sick leave.
