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French labor rights and sick leave regulation developments

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2026-10-15 14:47 UTC → 2026-10-25 09:42 UTC · added ~~removed~~

French labor rights and ~~employment~~ sick leave regulation developments

France ~~continues to implement significant~~ is implementing sweeping reforms to its labor and social security regulations to ~~curb~~ address record absenteeism and ~~reduce the financial burden on the national health insurance system. New data~~ rising costs. Data from the 5th edition of the Observatory of Sick Leave ~~indicates that~~ confirms workplace absenteeism reached a historic high of 4.68% in 2025, ~~surpassing the 2022 record of 4.61%. This increase is~~ driven by ~~a rise in~~ long-term ~~absences—which now account for over half of the total rate—and~~ absences and a 70% surge in “micro-absenteeism” (leaves ~~of less than~~ under three days) since 2022. ~~In response,~~ To curb costs, which reached 17.9 billion euros in 2025, the government ~~is enforcing stricter sick leave management. A decree published in June 2026~~ has introduced several restrictive measures. Effective September 1, 2026, Decree No. 2026-498 caps initial sick leave prescriptions at 31 ~~days to ensure recent clinical examinations justify the duration and to facilitate regular re-evaluations,~~ days, with subsequent extensions ~~possible up~~ limited to 62 days. ~~Furthermore, a decree dated September 16, 2026, confirms that starting~~ Failure to comply may result in the CPAM refusing daily allowances. Additionally, new measures target “medical nomadism,” where individuals consult multiple doctors to obtain certificates; violators may face sanctions or be required to reimburse allowances. Further reforms target long-term condition (ALD) compensation. Starting October 15, 2026, the maximum duration for daily indemnity payments for non-exempt ~~long-term condition (ALD) patients will~~ ALD patients—those not qualifying for 100% coverage—will be reduced from three years to one year. ~~This change specifically targets employees under the general and agricultural regimes, as well as notary clerks and employees, whose conditions do not qualify~~ A transitional regime applies: those already on leave for ~~100% coverage~~ more than six months by ~~the Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie). Notably,~~ October 15 will remain under the ~~reform maintains distinctions for “exonérantes” ALDs—serious pathologies that grant 100% coverage—which~~ three-year rule, while others will ~~continue~~ transition to ~~receive benefits~~ the one-year limit upon reaching their sixth month of incapacity. Serious “exonérantes” ALDs remain eligible for ~~up to~~ three ~~years. To address the rising costs~~ years of ~~compensated sick leave, which reached 17.9 billion euros in 2025,~~ benefits. Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou has proposed a structural reform to save one billion ~~euros. The strategy aims~~ euros, aiming to “spend less and spend better” by reducing ~~protections for~~ short-term ~~leave to discourage abuse~~ protections while increasing support for ~~long-term leave to protect vulnerable workers. The government has called on social~~ the vulnerable. Social partners have been called to reach an agreement ~~on this reform~~ by December 19.

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