You will be able to do this on L4. The government is changing the rules

The government has approved a project that completely changes the rules regarding sick leave. As “Fakt” notes, so far an employee at L4 could not perform any professional duties. He risked losing his right to benefits even if he briefly answered a business phone call or signed an invoice. ZUS had the right to consider that the employee “performed gainful employment” and withdraw the benefit for the entire period of illness.

The government wants to relax the regulations. According to the newspaper, the mentioned project includes a provision according to which not every activity during sick leave will be considered paid work. The exception will cover incidental activities forced by important circumstances, e.g. when the employee’s failure to respond could expose the company to losses.

Changes in L4. What will the employee be able to do?

It is worth emphasizing that it will be possible for an employee staying on L4 in one company to work for another employer. At the same time, he will receive full salary and sickness benefits.

Importantly, an employee on sick leave will be able to go shopping, to the pharmacy, to the doctor or for a walk, if it is conducive to recovery. Trips will be prohibited unless justified by health reasons, e.g. to the senatorial office. Travel abroad will be possible provided that it is indicated as the address of stay while on sick leave and does not impede a possible ZUS inspection.

Data from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) show that last year, 1.8 million more days of sickness absence were registered in Poland than the year before. In 2024, as many as 27.4 million medical certificates on temporary incapacity for work were issued, which gives a total number of as many as 290 million days of sickness absence. In the first five months of this year alone, as much as L4 million was issued.