# France sick‑leave caps and rising absenteeism

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/france-sickleave-caps-and-absenteeism-rise
> Updated: 2026-08-05T15:07:10.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 4.

In September 2026 France introduced a decree limiting the first sick‑leave prescription to 31 days, renewals to 62 days and restricting tele‑medicine certificates to three days unless a regular doctor renews them or an in‑person visit is impossible. Workers must submit certificates within 48 hours, with possible domicile checks. The measures target perceived abuse in a system that costs about €18 billion annually; psychological disorders now account for 38 % of long‑term absences.

A July study of 3.8 million private‑sector employees confirmed that absenteeism keeps climbing: 32 % took at least one sick leave in 2025 and the overall absence rate reached 4.3 %, a 25.5 % rise since 2019. Long‑term stops (over 60 days) represent 9.4 % of all leaves but 63.8 % of lost work days. Mental‑health issues are the leading cause of leaves longer than 30 days, making up 37.8 % and growing 25 % since 2020, especially among workers under 40, women and executives. More than half of firms lack specific absenteeism‑reduction programmes; only 29 % have structured prevention.

AXA Santé data show the overall absenteeism rate rose to 4.8 % in 2025, 10 % higher among under‑30s and 8 % among executives, signalling deeper organisational stress. An IFOP survey in early 2026 found the average WHO‑5 wellbeing score improve to 62.8, yet one‑quarter of employees remain in psychological distress, with young workers most affected.

Experts continue to call for transparent medical reviews, expanded psychological support, proactive management of psychosocial risks and stronger workplace prevention to curb unjustified absences and their cost, estimated at about 1 % of payroll.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: France workplace mental health improves, young workers stay vulnerable

A 2026 IFOP survey of 2,000 French employees shows workplace mental wellbeing rose to a WHO‑5 score of 62.8 and 74% report good health, but one‑quarter remain distressed, with young workers especially affected.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-workplace-mental-health-improves-young-workers-stay-vulnerable

### 2026-07-24: French firms urged to tackle mental health and rising absenteeism

French employers face rising absenteeism (4.8 % in 2025) and mental‑health challenges, with one‑quarter of workers reporting poor well‑being, urging action on psychosocial risks and workplace conditions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-firms-urged-to-tackle-mental-health-and-rising-absenteeism

### 2026-07-21: France's absenteeism climbs, mental health fuels long sick leaves

France's absenteeism rises to 4.3 %, driven by mental‑health related long sick leaves; many firms lack prevention, while controlled medical checks are proposed to cut costs.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/frances-absenteeism-climbs-mental-health-fuels-long-sick-leaves

### 2026-07-04: France caps first sick‑leave prescription at 31 days and limits telemedicine stops

France limits first sick‑leave to 31 days, renewals to 62 days, and caps telemedicine prescriptions at three days to curb fraud and cut €18 bn in costs.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-caps-first-sickleave-prescription-at-31-days-and-limits-telemedicine-stops

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Cite as: France sick‑leave caps and rising absenteeism. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/france-sickleave-caps-and-absenteeism-rise