Employers will do almost anything to find workers except pay them more

Re:Employers will do almost anything to find workers except ... by rglullis on Wednesday July 11, 2018 @09:44AM (#17506764)

It is a false dichotomy. I don't mind the health insurance being mandatory, much like I don't mind people being forced to pay for car insurance if they drive a car. What I find absurd in Germany is that you pay based on your income, just that. I would accept it being factored in, but not being the sole metric to determine pay.

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Re:Employers will do almost anything to find workers except ... by jhasse on Wednesday July 11, 2018 @10:02AM (#17506943)

Most health insurances will give you benefits for staying healthy (e.g. visiting the gym or a nutritionist). Visiting the dentist at least once a year will also give you a benefit. There might be other stuff I can't think of right now.

So income isn't the sole metric which determines the pay.

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Re:Employers will do almost anything to find workers except ... by rglullis on Wednesday July 11, 2018 @10:08AM (#17506994)

Please tell me how I can reduce my TK payment by showing them my gym membership, and I will be very grateful. No sarcasm here.

Also, as far as I know there is no benefit in going to the dentist, except as "We pay one dental check-up and one clean-up for year, more than that comes out of your pocket". That is at least what I was told when I went to the dentist.

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Re:Employers will do almost anything to find workers except ... by jhasse on Wednesday July 11, 2018 @10:23AM (#17507140)

> Please tell me how I can reduce my TK payment by showing them my gym membership, and I will be very grateful. No sarcasm here.

It looks like the TK doesn't pay for just visiting the gym: https://www.tk.de/techniker/service/leistungen-und-mitglieds...

> Also, as far as I know there is no benefit in going to the dentist, except as "We pay one dental check-up and one clean-up for year, more than that comes out of your pocket". That is at least what I was told when I went to the dentist.

They will pay more for a tooth replacement if you visit the dentist on a regular basis: https://www.tk.de/techniker/service/leistungen-und-mitglieds...

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Re:Employers will do almost anything to find workers except ... by germanier on Wednesday July 11, 2018 @11:29AM (#17507667)

Some public insurances tried giving benefits for going to a gym or having reduced membership fees at partners but this has been shut down by the regulator.

You might be interested in their bonus programme: https://www.tk.de/techniker/service/gesundheit-und-medizin/p... Some public insurers have a more extensive one or special, reduced tariffs under some conditions (Wahltarif).

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Re:Employers will do almost anything to find workers except ... by jashmatthews on Wednesday July 11, 2018 @10:06AM (#17506970)

Anyone earning over €60k in Germany can opt for private health insurance.

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