How long is sick leave in France?

In France, the maximum duration for sick leave can vary based on the nature of the illness:

• Short-term sick leave: Typically granted for up to 6 months. During this period, the employee is entitled to daily allowances from the French Social Security system.
• Long-term sick leave: Up to 3 years. A new period of 3 years is available if the employee returns to work for at least 1 year.

What are the eligibility rules for sick leave in France?

In France, the eligibility requirements for sick leave include the following:

• Each supported employee is eligible for sick leave.
• The employer is required to cover the salary after a waiting period of 3 days, known as "carence."
• The supported employee must have 1 year of seniority to receive salary coverage after the carence period.

How is sick leave payment calculated in France?

When a supported employee is absent due to illness in France, this suspends the employment agreement and the employer's obligation to fully compensate the supported employee. The Social Security Health System pays the supported employee on sick leave a daily benefit. The employer is legally required to make up the difference between that benefit and the supported employee's normal compensation.

What is the process for applying for sick leave in France?

To apply for sick leave in France, a supported employee must undertake the following steps:

• The supported employee must visit a doctor to obtain an official sick note.
• The sick note must be sent to both Velocity Global France and the Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM).

Key considerations include:

• The first 3 days of sick leave are "carence days" and are unpaid.
• After these initial 3 days, the supported employee receives a part of their salary from the CPAM as social security indemnity, which is not the full salary amount.
• If the supported employee has at least 1 year of seniority, the employer is required to provide a complementary payment during the first 60 days of sick leave: 30 days at 90% of the employee's salary and another 30 days at 66.66% of the salary. This payment begins after a waiting period of 7 calendar days. Beyond this period, it is at the employer's discretion to continue providing complementary payments.
• The customer can choose to cover the "carence days" to prevent a salary loss for the supported employee. Velocity Global France will need confirmation from the customer for each sick leave to apply this option.