Poles have been taking sick leave en masse for years, which worries both economists and employers. Every year, ZUS receives millions of certificates of temporary incapacity for work, and this number increases especially during holiday and holiday periods. For many people, L4 has become an informal way to extend paid leave at the expense of the employer or the state.
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However, the problem of abuse of sick leave is more complex. In the face of rising inflation and economic uncertainty, Poles are increasingly less likely to take unpaid holidays, choosing instead 80% paid holidays. L4. Such actions, although they may seem beneficial in the short term, in the long run impose billions of costs on the Social Security Fund.
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It is worth recalling, as the biznesinfo.pl website points out, that for the first 33 days of sickness a year (or 14 days for people over 50), sick pay is paid by the employer, which can be a serious financial burden for smaller companies.
ZUS will receive new tools. Algorithms instead of random checks
In recent years, ZUS has moved away from traditional, random inspections to use advanced algorithms that analyze sick leave data.
This system allows you to quickly identify people who may abuse L4. Among others, the following are analyzed: recurring patterns, such as frequent sick leave around weekends, using the services of doctors far from home or receiving sick leave from doctors who issue an unusually large number of sick leaves.
According to data from ZUS branches quoted by biznesinfo.pl, in the first half of 2025 alone, over 227,000 inspections were carried out, which led to the withholding of thousands of benefits amounting to millions of dollars.
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The algorithm does not limit itself to checking individual dismissals – it combines information about employment history and previous absences. If the system notices that an employee alternately uses child care allowance and sick leave, a warning signal immediately appears. In the age of digitalization, even activity on social media may be evidence of abuse if a person on L4 publishes photos from holidays or home renovation.
Consequences of unfair use of L4
Using sick leave contrary to its intended purpose may have serious financial and professional consequences. If irregularities are detected, such as the patient's absence at the given address without medical justification or performing other paid work during L4, ZUS immediately suspends the payment of sickness benefit. Moreover, the authority may demand the return of already paid benefits together with interest, which in the case of longer leaves means the need to pay back even several thousand zlotys.
ZUS emphasizes that explanations regarding “improving mental health” through renovation or skiing are not accepted if they contradict medical recommendations. An employer who detects abuse has grounds to terminate the employment contract with immediate effect, i.e. the so-called disciplinarians. Such an exemption in the employment certificate may block the way to employment in reputable companies for many years.
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Additionally, people extorting sick leave they must take into account criminal liability for confirming untruths, which in extreme cases may result in a court case. As experts point out, before someone decides on unfair L4, they should consider whether a temporary break is worth the risk of losing their job and livelihood.
