Sick leave in France isn’t just between the employee and the public health system.
Here’s what employers are responsible for — and why it matters.
When an employee in France goes on sick leave, many foreign employers assume their role ends with granting the time off. In reality, the employer remains actively involved throughout the absence — with specific obligations that, if missed, can create real problems for both the company and the employee.
The employer’s role doesn’t end at “Get well soon”.
In France, sick leave is jointly managed by the public health insurance system (CPAM) and the employer. Your employee submits part of their sick certificate directly to the CPAM — but a separate communication from you, the employer, is also required for the process to function correctly.
Why this surprises foreign companies ?
In many countries, sick leave is a straightforward matter between the employee and a public health system, with little to no ongoing employer involvement. In France, the employer’s role is active: specific payroll declarations must be filed, and depending on the applicable collective agreement, the employer may be required to maintain part of the employee’s salary during the absence.
What happens if obligations are missed ?
Two consequences are common:
→ The employee’s daily health insurance payments can be delayed or disrupted
→ The company can find itself non-compliant — particularly if a collective agreement requires salary maintenance that wasn’t provided
Neither outcome is intentional on the employer’s part. They’re almost always the result of not knowing the obligation existed in the first place.
Long-term sick leave adds further obligations
When sick leave extends beyond a certain duration, additional steps come into play — including a mandatory medical visit before the employee can resume their role, and in some cases, a review of whether the employee can return to their previous position.
The bottom line
Sick leave in France involves more employer responsibility than most foreign companies expect. The good news: with the right support, it’s entirely manageable — and none of it needs to fall on your shoulders.
Need help managing sick leave for your French employees ?
At BrioGate, we handle the entire process on your behalf — declarations, deadlines, and communication with French authorities — so you can stay focused on your business.
A well-managed absence is one that never becomes a liability. Let us handle it for you.
Article written by briogate.com – Stay up to date with French employment obligations.