"Unjustified Work Interruptions: Coordinated Misinformation Campaign"
In a recent announcement, François Bayrou, the French Minister of Health, declared his intention to tighten social spending and put an end to the "drift" of excessive sick leaves [1]. This declaration was made on July 15, but further details about the measures to be taken were not provided until a Le Monde article on July 26 [2].
The article suggests a perception by the government that all employees and doctors are under suspicion regarding sick leaves [3]. However, the article does not specify the basis for this perception of guilt by the government.
One of the measures proposed in the report is the strengthening of control over doctors who prescribe too many sick leaves [4]. This is not a new proposal, as it was also suggested in the "Cnam Charges and Products for 2026" report, which was presented to various studios [5]. The report also suggests placing doctors under guardianship for prescribing excessive sick leaves.
Another measure aimed at addressing excessive sick leaves is the requirement for employers to contribute 30% of the sickness allowance during the second and third month of incapacity for employees aged 18 to 54 [4]. This measure aims to share the financial burden between the state and employers, potentially reducing excessive sick leaves and lightening Social Security expenses.
France is also under pressure from the European Commission to adapt its labor law concerning the distinction between paid leave and sick leave [1]. The EU has urged France to ensure that sick leave and paid leave serve distinct purposes (healing vs. rest) and to allow the deferral of paid leave if an employee falls ill during vacations, aligning with Directive 2003/88/EC [1]. France must comply within two months or face referral to the Court of Justice of the EU and possible sanctions [1]. This reform is expected to clarify rights and reduce abuse related to sick and paid leaves which have financial implications for Social Security.
Moreover, there have been proposals affecting public holidays and other labor law adjustments which may indirectly impact absenteeism and social benefit costs [5]. However, the Le Monde article on July 26 does not provide any new information about these proposals or their impact on sick leaves.
Bayrou's reforms also include changes to long-term illnesses, increases in medication franchises, and reductions in daily allowance coverage [6]. These reforms were not mentioned in the Le Monde article on July 26.
Catherine Vautrin, the Minister of Health, made a statement in the Le Monde article on July 26, stating, "This year is the one where all employees and doctors are suspected and guilty in the eyes of the government" [3]. However, the article does not provide details on any specific actions or measures the government plans to take.
In summary, the key recent governmental action is the sharing of sickness allowance costs with employers for medium-term sick leave and the forthcoming legislative adjustments to clarify and harmonize sick leave and paid leave rules in line with EU directives to limit abuse and protect social welfare funding. Further details about Bayrou's reforms, including changes to long-term illnesses, increases in medication franchises, and reductions in daily allowance coverage, were not provided in the Le Monde article on July 26.
- The French Ministry of Health, under Minister François Bayrou, has proposed strengthening medical-condition control, focusing on doctors who prescribe excessive sick leave, as part of a broader policy-and-legislation initiative to tighten social spending and reduce the 'drift' of excessive sick leaves.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and general-news, France is under pressure from the European Commission to differentiate between paid leave and sick leave, aligning with EU Directive 2003/88/EC, and potentially facing sanctions if not complied with within two months.
- Politics intertwines with science and medical-conditions as the French government, in the words of Catherine Vautrin, the Minister of Health, seems to perceive all employees and doctors as under suspicion regarding sick leaves, a perception that remains unexplained in the current discourse.
