A Comprehensive Look at Paid Sick Leave Policies in Central and Eastern European Countries

  • June 5th, 2023
A Comprehensive Look at Paid Sick Leave Policies in Central and Eastern European Countries

What is Paid Sick Leave and why is it Important?

Paid sick leave is an essential employment benefit that provides employees with the right to take time off work when they are ill or injured. his type of leave also provides workers with financial security in the event that they need to take a few days off due to sickness. It is beneficial for both employers and employees as it helps maintain a healthy workplace and ensures that employees are not financially disadvantaged by taking sick leave. It is also important for businesses as it helps reduce absenteeism and maintain productivity levels.

The availability and generosity of paid sick leave policies vary across different countries, and in this article, we will focus on Central Eastern European countries. We will compare and analyze the countries in the region to determine which ones provide the most generous benefits for ill workers.

Comparing the Paid Sick Leave Policies of 6 CEE Countries

Let's compare the Paid Sick Leave Policies of 6 Central and Eastern European countries in order to gain a better understanding of how each country is handling the issue:

Hungary

In Hungary, employees are entitled to paid sick leave based on their years of service. For the first 15 days of sickness, employees receive their full salary. From the 16th day onwards, they are entitled to 60% of their salary. The maximum duration of paid sick leave is 365 days and a doctor must issue a certificate of the employee’s incapacity for work.

Poland

Poland provides a progressive sick leave policy. For the first 33 days, employees receive 80% of their salary. The amount increases to 100% if the employee becomes ill during pregnancy or were in an accident going to or returning from work. The difference, in this case, is covered by the Social Security Institute. After the first 33 days, the Social Security Institute covers the leave, generally at 80% of the base pay for a maximum of 182 consecutive days per year (inclusive of the 33 days paid by the employer).

For employees aged 50+, the company must only cover the first 14 days of sick leave. The rest is covered by Social Security.

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, in 2008, it was introduced the unpaid sick leave in the first three days of the illness. The previous government led by ANO’s Andrej Babiš and the Social Democrats (ČSSD) canceled it in July 2019.

Since then, employees are eligible for paid sick leave starting from the first day of illness. For the first 14 days, they receive 60% of their average earnings. From the 15th to the 30th day, the benefit increases to 66% of their average earnings. After the 30th day, employees are entitled to 72% of their average earnings. The social security contributions for them are reduced by 0.2 percent, from 25 to 24.8 percent in this past year. This costs the government billions of crowns in lost income per year. 

Slovakia

Slovakia offers paid sick leave benefits based on the duration of employment. For the first three days, employees receive 25% of their average earnings. From the fourth to the tenth day, the benefit increases to 55%. Starting from the eleventh day, employees receive 60% of their average earnings. The maximum duration of paid sick leave is 33 days.

Romania

Romania provides paid sick leave benefits based on the length of employment. For the first five days, employees receive 75% of their salary. From the sixth day onwards, they receive 85% of their salary. The maximum duration of paid sick leave is 183 days, with a potential 90-day extension, under the Labor Code for employees who are covered by the pension and social insurance system. 

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, employees are entitled to paid sick leave during the first three days of sickness at a rate of 70% of the regular salary. From the fourth day of sickness, The National Social Security Fund takes care of the payment at 80% of the regular salary rate or 90% for work-related sick leave or injury (providing the employee has completed at least six months of service or Social Security payments). All employees are entitled to claim up to 18 months of paid sick leave and employees must provide a medical certificate within 48 hours of the first day of sickness.

Central eastern Europe in general

In conclusion, paid sick leave policies in Central and Eastern European countries vary greatly in terms of duration, eligibility, and coverage. While some countries offer generous benefits to all workers, others have more restrictive policies that only cover a select few. Regardless of the specific policy, it is clear that paid sick leave plays an important role in protecting workers' health and well-being. As COVID-19 has demonstrated, access to paid sick leave can also have significant implications for public health. As the region continues to develop economically and socially, it is important for policymakers to prioritize fair and equitable sick leave policies as a necessary component of labor rights. By doing so, we can ensure that all workers have access to the protections they need to stay healthy and productive, both now and in the future.

Are you looking to recruit the best talent in the Central Eastern Europe area like Budapest, Prague, Warsaw, Bratislava and many more? Or are you looking for work but don’t know yet which city might be the right fit for you?

By partnering with RED.Recruitment, you will benefit from our extensive knowledge of the Central and Eastern European region and gain a competitive edge in hiring. Our team of experienced recruiters can help you explore the shades of the local job market, including differences in paid sick leave policies, working hours, cost of living and competition in the industry. Contact us today to learn more about how RED.Recruitment can help you achieve your recruitment goals in Central and Eastern Europe!