How ZUS Will Check Sick Leaves of Employees in Poland

This year, the approach to sick leave verification is changing in Poland. The Social Insurance Institution is implementing modern data analysis tools that will allow for quicker detection of abuses of paid sick leaves. This involves moving away from random checks and transitioning to systematic analysis of employee behavior. According to InPoland,

How ZUS Checks Employee Sick Leaves in Poland

ZUS explains that every year it receives millions of certificates of temporary incapacity for work, and their number sharply increases in the summer and during holidays. According to the institution, some employees use sick leaves not for treatment, but as an alternative to vacation, as the payments amount to 80% of the salary.

The new algorithm analyzes not individual certificates, but a combination of data, including employment history and previous absences due to illness. The system pays attention to typical signs of potential abuse:

• frequent sick leaves on public holidays or weekends;

• consultation with doctors far from the place of residence;

• certificates from doctors that issue an excessive number of sick leaves.

ZUS Sick Leave Checks: Consequences for Employees and Employers

According to ZUS, in the first half of 2025 alone, more than 227,000 checks were conducted. As a result, thousands of payments were suspended, and the total amount of saved funds reached millions of zlotys.

Employers who document abuses of sick leaves have grounds for immediate termination of the employment contract. A disciplinary record can significantly complicate further employment for the employee.

Previously, we reported under which conditions employees can be fired in Poland for frequent sick leaves.