Sick leave allows employees to take time off when unwell without losing their job. Policies vary from generous paid sick leave to minimal unpaid protection, with significant differences between countries and employers.
Statutory Requirements
Many countries mandate paid sick leave, though duration and payment levels vary. Some require employer-paid sick leave for initial periods before social insurance takes over. Others provide government-funded sick pay from day one. A few countries have no mandatory sick leave.
Documentation Requirements
Employers typically can require proof of illness, usually a doctor's note, for absences beyond a certain length. The threshold varies, commonly three to seven days. Some jurisdictions limit what employers can require or when they can request medical documentation.
Sick Leave vs. Disability
Sick leave covers short-term illness and injury. Longer-term incapacity typically transitions to disability benefits, which may be provided by social insurance, private insurance, or both. Understanding when sick leave ends and disability begins varies by jurisdiction.