Sick Leave
Time off work due to illness or injury, which may be paid or unpaid.
Sick leave is authorised time off when an employee is unable to work because of illness or injury. How it is paid depends on statutory entitlements and the employer's own sick pay scheme, which may be more generous.
Ireland has introduced a statutory sick pay scheme, phasing in a number of paid sick days per year at a set percentage of pay, capped at a daily maximum, with the number of days rising over time. This coexists with any occupational sick pay the employer chooses to provide.
Effective management balances support with fairness: recording absence accurately, following up on patterns, supporting return to work, and applying policy consistently. Absence data helps identify wellbeing issues and workforce risks early.
