The Government calls for responsible use of sick leave

The importance of sick leave and the consequences of its abusive or improper use. This is the main objective of the Catalan government, which has called on citizens to make responsible use of temporary work interruptions due to illness or accident. The Catalan government, through the Department of Health, aims to raise awareness of the individual responsibility that exists in the appropriate use of sick leave, to convey the importance of a culture of responsibility toward the Catalan healthcare system—on the part of both workers and companies—and to raise awareness of the social and economic impact of temporary disabilities.

Between 2019 and 2024, the number of Social Security affiliates increased from 3,534,383 to 3,899,355 people—an increase of 364,972. Likewise, the number of sick leaves in 2019 was 1,597,451, costing the public administration more than €137.5 million. In 2024, the number of temporary disability claims was 2,228,718, with an economic cost of more than €243 million.

These figures, compared to those for the entire country, tell us the following: Catalonia has 17% of the total number of registered workers in Spain and accounts for 25% of the total number of temporary disability claims. That's why the Government wants to make a clear point: sick leave is a right for workers when they are sick, but it's also a responsibility to use these benefits properly. When used conscientiously, each of us is protecting our health and contributing to a more just and efficient society. Absences from work burden colleagues, companies, and the healthcare system.

The FAQ on temporary sick leave

Medical leave is the official recognition that a worker who contributes to Social Security cannot perform his or her usual work due to a health problem. It generally gives the right to an economic benefit. The recognition of this situation is made through a document calledsick leave noticeissued by a doctor from the public health system.

During sick leave, it is mandatory to continue treatment and attend medical examinations, both with your primary care physician and by appointment from the ICAM (Spanish Institute of Medical Care) and the managing entities or mutual insurance companies. Being on sick leave is incompatible with any work activity.

There are two types of sick leave:

• Due to common illness or non-work-related accident, which we call common contingencies.
• Due to occupational illness or work accident, which we call professional contingencies.

Not all medical and surgical treatments entail the right to sick leave. The following are excluded from this benefit:

• Cosmetic surgery, except for reconstructive surgery or surgery related to accidents or congenital diseases.
• Removal of material or treatment of side effects resulting from cosmetic procedures, except in cases of complications.
• Orthodontics, implants, or tooth extractions for cosmetic purposes (except in cases of tooth loss due to cancer or its treatment, or congenital malformations).
• Surgery for snoring, except in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome associated with anatomical deformities or maxillofacial disorders.
• Reversal of a tubal ligation or vasectomy.
• Assisted reproduction procedures excluded from the service portfolio due to medical contraindication or prior voluntary sterilization.
• Psychoanalysis or hypnosis.
• Prescription for spas or rest care.

The estimated length of a sick leave can range from 1 to 365 days.

The estimated length of the sick leave determines the follow-up visits and confirmation of the patient's health status during the process.

The doctor has access to information tables from the National Social Security Institute on the conditions that can lead to work-related disability. To determine the length of sick leave, in addition to each patient's diagnosis and functional limitations, age and type of work are also taken into account.

The competent body to decide whether to terminate the sick leave is now the INSS (National Social Security Institute) or the ISM (Spanish Social Security Institute). The person must be assessed to determine whether to continue the sick leave, issue a discharge proposal, or make a proposal for permanent disability. Although the doctor continues to care for and monitor the person on sick leave, only the INSS (National Social Security Institute) can terminate the sick leave, following a medical opinion from the ICAM (Spanish Social Security Institute).

More information about thesick leave on the health channel.