Berlin: Off sick for ten yearsBerlin is an example of how sickness-related absences exacerbate the already strained staffing situation. According to the city’s education administration, 380 teachers have been on sick leave for at least a year. According to the education administration, 18 teachers have even been on sick leave for at least ten years. Primary schools are particularly hard hit, with 98 teachers out on long-term sick leave. The term "long-term illness" is also defined differently and in some states can apply to sick leave lasting more than 30 days.