The project involves carrying out a comparative study of national sick leave policies in the European Union. It focuses on analysing sick leave policies and their impacts on workers’ health and productivity, with the aim of identifying best practices for workers and businesses.
The study provides an up-to-date mapping of sick leave policies across EU Member States, identifying key features such as eligibility criteria, duration and coverage. The analysis highlights differences and similarities across EU countries, as well as policy trends and recent changes. Based on this mapping, the study examines how sick leave policies affect workers’ health and well-being, productivity, absenteeism, and the likelihood of returning to work, including the associated costs for employers and social protection systems.
A core element of the project is the identification of good practices at national level, in particular policies that are most beneficial for workers and businesses. This includes identifying policy measures that best promote a gradual return to work for adults who have been on medium- and long-term sick leave, as well as measures that help companies reduce absenteeism and retain human capital.
In line with the general objectives, the study analyses recent trends and the prevalence of sick leave across EU Member States, examines all types of sick leave, rehabilitation and return-to-work policies, and assesses national policies that promote health risk prevention, workers’ health, well-being and productivity. The analysis also considers key factors contributing to the effectiveness of sick leave policies, including the involvement of social partners and other relevant stakeholders.
The study systematically integrates cross-cutting analytical dimensions, including demographic trends and the situation of older workers (aged 55 and over), gender and equity considerations, the impact of non-standard employment, and interactions with other social protection systems. It also distinguishes between sick leave related to non-work-related illnesses or accidents and that related to occupational illnesses or workplace accidents, taking into account their different institutional and legal frameworks.
The project covers all 27 EU Member States and combines EU-wide mapping and comparative analysis with more in-depth national case studies. The analysis focuses primarily on recent developments since 2020, while also considering longer-term developments where relevant. In addition, the study adopts a forward-looking perspective, examining how demographic, technological and labour market trends may affect sick leave systems in the European Union over the next decade.
The project is carried out at the request of the European Commission Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL). It is conducted in the context of the commitments set out in the 2024 Action Plan on Labour and Skills Shortages and within the framework of the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) strand of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).
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