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Czech and Slovak sick‑leave reforms

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-04 11:37 UTC → 2026-08-05 07:38 UTC · added removed

In July 2026 the Czech Republic reported that more than one million people were employed under short‑term work contracts and that terminated short‑term sick‑leave cases had risen slightly, while total sick‑leave days continued to grow. Analysts highlighted that the three‑day waiting period introduced in 2008 pushes absences onto paid vacation or unpaid leave, disproportionately affecting low‑paid workers who cannot work from home. A week later, Slovakia announced that stricter medical‑assessment rules introduced in January 2025 had sharply cut fraudulent sick‑leave claims. The share of people on sick leave fell below 3 % for the first time, and the state projected savings of up to €300 million by the end of 2026, attributing the results to tighter assessor powers and an electronic health‑card system. Further data released on 4 August 2026 shows the impact deepening. Slovakia’s Social Insurance office said the crackdown saved €144 million in 2025 and €72 million in the first half of 2026, with a total €300 million expected by year‑end. The ministry reported roughly 12 000 fewer fraudulent claims each month, 3.2 million fewer sick‑days, and a drop in newly reported cases from about 454 000 to 390 000. Continued integration of electronic health records and expanded assessment powers are expected to sustain the downward trend. Together, the snapshots show Central European governments confronting sick‑leave abuse and its labour‑market effects: illustrate how the Czech data underline ongoing labour market still grapples with structural challenges, sick‑leave pressures, while the Slovak experience demonstrates how Slovakia’s tighter enforcement can generate substantial is delivering measurable fiscal savings. and productivity gains.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-05 07:38 UTC Czech and Slovak sick‑leave reforms
  2. 2026-08-04 11:37 UTC Czech and Slovak sick‑leave reforms

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