Overview
- The French government will reduce sick leave compensation for public sector workers starting March 1 and private sector workers starting April 1.
- Public sector employees will see their sick leave pay drop from 100% to 90% of their salary for the first three months of absence, with no changes for longer absences.
- Private sector sick leave indemnities will be capped at 1.4 times the minimum wage (roughly €2,522.52 per month), down from 1.8 times, reducing maximum daily payouts by 20%.
- These changes are part of the 2025 budget, aiming to address a sharp rise in sick leave costs, which reached €17 billion in 2024.
- The new rules are expected to save the government €1.5 billion annually but will shift an estimated €800 million in costs to employers and insurance providers.