Sick Leave

## Sick Leave

Sick leave allows employees to take time off for illness or medical appointments without losing pay. Statutory entitlements differ dramatically across countries.

### Statutory Sick Pay

| Country | Duration | Pay Level |
|---------|---------|----------|
| Germany | 6 weeks at 100%, then Krankengeld | 70% of gross (health insurer) |
| UK | Up to 28 weeks SSP | £116.75/week (2024/25) |
| France | Up to 360 days | 50% of daily wage (CPAM) |
| Japan | 18 months | 2/3 of standard monthly pay |
| Australia | 10 days/year (cumulative) | Full pay |
| US (federal) | 0 days | No federal mandate |

### US Landscape

While the US has no federal sick leave mandate, 15+ states and many cities require paid sick leave. The FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for serious health conditions.

### Employer Responsibility

In many countries, employers pay sick leave directly for an initial period before social insurance takes over. This creates a significant cost difference between jurisdictions for employers.