Landmark Court Case: Hangovers Are Officially An "Illness" So You Can Take Off Work If You Have One

BBC - A German court has ruled hangovers are an “illness”, in a case against the maker of an anti-hangover drink.

The firm was taken to court in Frankfurt after being accused of making illegal health claims about its anti-hangover shots and drinks powders.

In its ruling, the court said illnesses included even small or temporary changes to the body’s normal state.

Food products, including drinks, cannot be marketed as being able to prevent or treat illnesses, it added.

So I know the point of this ruling was that food products and drinks can’t advertise that they prevent hangovers anymore, but I do not care about that in the slightest. But I will say my eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when I saw the words “court rules that hangovers are an illness”. Because that means that you can officially use drinking too much the night before as a reason to call off work the next morning. This is a landmark decision by our brothers and sisters in Germany, and I commend their judical system for doing the right thing. I may not work another Super Bowl Monday for the rest of my career. Uhhh sorry boss, I’m ill!

Anyone with common sense knows that hangovers are self-inflicted and therefore should not be considered an illness. But I will admit that this a movement where I can put my personal opinions aside and get behind for the benefit of the people. With hangovers officially being an illness, paired with the now prevalent mental health day, I don’t see a reason to work a 5 day week for the rest of my life. Think about those companies who have already adopted the 4 day week to boost morale and get a competitive edge on other businesses around the workplace. If the employees go out every Thursday night, they’re already down to working 3 day weeks. The American Dream!

I hope the American court system takes notice here. I know that Germany has had some questionable ideas in the past, but I really think they’re on to something here. I know there has been some talk lately on the news networks of the political ideology of Barstool — I’ll say this: find me a presidential candidate that will make hangovers an excused absence from work, and they have my vote.