10 min czytania 26 January 2026

L4 Abuse – How Common Does It Happen?

Sick leave is an employee’s right, but it can be a challenge for employers. Although most of us use it as intended, ZUS statistics show that “illegible” sick leave is still a real problem. How common is sick leave abuse? We check the facts.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Poles on sick leave – how often are they sick?
Types of sick leave
Sick leave abuse – how common is it?
The most common abuses of sick leave by employees
Consequences of sick leave abuse
Sick leave audit – is it possible?
Why does sick leave abuse occur?

Poles on sick leave – how often do they get sick?

Statistics from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) leave no doubt: Poles are getting sick more often and for longer periods. In 2025, a record number of 22.4 million medical certificates were issued. This translated into a staggering 277.6 million days during which employees were absent from their companies.

Compared to previous years, there is a clear upward trend:

In 2021, this number was 270.1 million days.
In 2024, this number increased to 276.2 million days.
2025 brought another record, increasing absenteeism by another 1.5 million days compared to the previous year.
On average, each of us spends approximately 14.65 days a year on sick leave.

Types of Sick Leave

When issuing a sick leave, the doctor must determine how the sick employee should behave to recover as quickly as possible. A code (number 1 or 2) is then displayed in the electronic system, which determines how the sick leave is being used by auditors.

How do you know which Sick Leave Certificate you have? You can find this information in your PUE ZUS profile or ask your doctor during your appointment. This is crucial, as improper use of sick leave can lead to negative consequences, such as financial loss.

What are the types of sick leave?

Sick leave with code 1 (Sick must stay in bed) – This is the most stringent type of sick leave. The doctor determines that your health condition requires absolute rest at home. When can you leave? Only for essential situations, such as a doctor’s appointment, examination, or a trip to the pharmacy.

Sick leave with code 2 (Sick can walk) – This sick leave means you are not required to stay at home. You have the right to leave your home, for example, for a short walk, if the doctor determines that fresh air will aid your recovery. When can you leave? You can take a short walk for your health, do some essential grocery shopping, or go to the post office.

Abuse of sick leave – how common is it?

While most sick leave absences stem from genuine health issues, the scale of absenteeism casts a shadow over the state of the labor market. One and a half million additional sick days in just one year signals that the problem is no longer merely medical, but has become a challenge for organizations.

In other words, the current number of sick leave days means that over a million employees are absent from work year-round. Such a sharp increase in sick leave – in the absence of sudden epidemics – begs the question: how many of these 277 million days are actually battling illness, and how many are “hidden leave” or other forms of abuse? The data show that the problem is not incidental, but systematically growing, which has real consequences for the functioning of Polish companies.

The Most Common Abuse of Employee Leave on Employee Leave

Although sick leave is intended to help with recovery, statistics show that sick leave abuse is still a serious problem in the Polish labor market. The imagination of those who misuse sick leave can be surprising. What are the most common findings from Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) inspections and inspections conducted by employers themselves?

Renovations and Housework

This is a classic abuse. Instead of resting, a sick employee decides to use their sick leave time to redecorate the apartment, paint the walls, or work in the garden. It’s important to remember that even if you have a “walking” sick leave, strenuous physical activity is considered an improper use of sick leave because it can delay recovery.

Leisure Trips

Social media is a veritable treasure trove of information for those conducting sick leave audits. Posting photos from mountain trails or foreign beaches while on sick leave is a clear signal that the sick leave is unjustified. In such a case, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) will almost immediately suspend sick leave payments.

Working for another employer

This is one of the most serious offenses. Abusing sick leave by providing services for another company or running your own business during sick leave is severely punished. Systems that display electronic sick leave certificates are increasingly helpful in identifying such situations.

“Sick leave on demand” – short-term absences

One-day sick leave or short-term sick leave taken just before or after a weekend is a common occurrence. If this situation persists, the employer may suspect that the employee is using sick leave as unpaid time off on demand.

Consequences of Sick Leave Abuse

Every sick leave that is used improperly carries risks. The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) conducts thousands of sick leave audits annually, often resulting in the termination of benefits. If the audit of the correct use of sick leave reveals fraud, the consequence is not only the loss of benefits but often also disciplinary dismissal.

Sick leave audits – is it possible?

Many people wonder whether sick leave certificates are actually subject to review. The answer is yes. Sick leave audits are not only possible but increasingly common. Their goal is to curb the abuse of sick leave and ensure that sick employees are actually using their sick leave time to recover. Importantly, both the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and the employer (if they employ more than 20 people) can review the employee.

Who checks us and how?

When ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) checks sick leave, verification can occur on two levels:

Inspection of the determination of incapacity for work: The medical examiner verifies whether the validity of the sick leave is supported by medical documentation.

Inspection of the correct use of sick leave: Inspectors check whether we are not using our sick leave for renovations, shopping, or travel.

Please note that ZUS inspections may be unannounced. If the inspector knocks on your door and finds you unavailable, you will be required to provide a written explanation.

Why does sick leave abuse happen?

Although ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) audits are a real risk, sick leave abuse remains a common problem. Why do employees use sick leave as an escape? There are several reasons.

Main reasons for “illegible” sick leave

Burnout is often behind the decision to take sick leave. When stress becomes unbearable, short-term sick leave is often considered the only solution. Unfortunately, using sick leave to get away from the boss (without actually being sick) is still considered an inappropriate use of sick leave.

Another reason is financial. Some people use sick leave to earn extra money elsewhere or to carry out renovations. However, these most common employee abuses are easy for insurance companies to detect, especially when the patient boasts about the results of their work online.

Easy Access and Technology

The introduction of electronic sick leave and telehealth consultations has facilitated treatment, but also led to abuse. The growing number of medical certificates obtained online has fostered the phenomenon of single-day sick leave (so-called “time off on request”).

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L4 Abuse – How Common Does It Happen?