Do you have to or must you tell your supervisor everything about your health?

No — you don’t have to tell your supervisor everything about your health. Usually, it’s enough to report that you are sick and how long you are expected to be absent. You can keep information about your illness or diagnosis to yourself.

You should know:

• If you are sick and cannot work, you must inform your employer that you are unable to work.
• Your employer is generally only entitled to know how long you will be absent — not why. The medical certificate only shows that you are unable to work, not what is wrong with you.
• Health data such as diagnosis, illness, or chronic conditions are particularly protected. The employer is not allowed to ask about these.
• Exception: In certain jobs where safety is very important, the employer may ask whether your illness affects your work or could pose a risk.

When can there be exceptions:

• If your illness directly affects workplace safety — for example, in tasks where health restrictions could be dangerous. Then, the employer may ask whether you can work safely.
• If there are legally required safety regulations — for example, at certain workplaces or with special risks. Then, you may need to disclose certain information.

What does this mean for you?

• You don’t have to tell your supervisor what illness you have.
• You must inform them if you are sick and cannot come to work — and, if known, how long you will be absent.
• If you want, you can voluntarily share more — that’s your decision.
• Your health status remains your private matter. It is protected by data privacy and medical confidentiality.

Further information:

BG Prevent – Health data and reporting sickness: explains what the employer is allowed to know and what they are not.https://bg-prevent.de/faq/gesundheit#section-3