In a landmark shift affecting employees, businesses, and the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) in Poland, significant changes to medical leave and the certification system are set to take effect at the beginning of next year. The new regulations, outlined in a government-backed bill, will bring a more flexible approach to issuing and managing medical leave, according to Tuesday’s Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
The proposed changes, aimed at easing the rules for ill employees, allow those on medical leave (L4) to carry out occasional activities without the risk of losing their benefits. For instance, employees will be permitted to perform tasks such as signing payroll or invoices, or completing essential errands like shopping, attending medical appointments, or visiting the post office.
Notably, the reform also addresses employees working multiple jobs. Under the new rules, if an employee falls ill but has duties across two employers, they could, with appropriate medical endorsement, continue working for one employer while on leave from the other—a move currently prohibited.