Duration of paid sick leave
General Medicine, 2025, 27(5), 60-70.
E. Toseva1, M. Platicanova2
1Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University ‒ Plovdiv
2Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Microbiology, Parasitology and Infectious Diseases,Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University – Stara Zagora
Abstract. Paid sick leave is a financial benefit for economic losses caused by the suspension or reduction of earned income as a result of aggravated health status. The decision on the duration of sick leave is a “risk by competence” in the field of medical expertise. The system for paying benefits is vulnerable to abuse, so, in many countries attempts are being made to reduce the frequency and duration of this sick leave, including Bulgaria. The aim of this review is to analyze some of the problems arising from the use of sick leave and to conduct a retrospective comparative analysis of the duration of temporary incapacity for work for various illnesses in Bulgaria in accordance with the duration recommended by the National Social Security Institute in days. Despite the recommended duration of sick leave for different short-term or longer-term illnesses, the model cannot be unified for all sick workers. Specific characteristics such as individual peculiarities in the course of the disease, the effect of the treatment, complications occurred, and co-morbidity, should always be considered, when control is carried out. They can extend the period of treatment and recovery for which sick leave due to temporary working incapacity is used.
Key words: temporary working incapacity, different diseases, duration, sick leave, benefits
Address for correspondence: Elka Toseva, MD, e-mail: elka_toseva@abv.bg, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3825-9902, Magdalena Platikanova: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5254-2229