Employment & Labour Law · European Union
Know Your Sick Leave Rights With the Right Lawyer By Your Side
Pressure to work through illness, sick pay that never arrives, a dismissal that lands while you’re off work, a return-to-work that quietly changes your job — sickness is a vulnerable moment, and some employers exploit it. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted employment lawyer who handles sick leave and sick pay disputes in your country every day.
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Who this is for
When illness strikes, your job, your pay and your protection are all defined by rules most people never read
Sick leave rights cover far more than time off: who pays your salary while you are ill, how long that protection lasts, when you need a medical certificate, how a return to work must be handled, and how much protection you have against dismissal while you are off. Across Europe these rules are set by a mix of national law, collective agreements and your own contract, and they vary considerably from one country to the next. Disputes commonly arise when sick pay is withheld or underpaid, when an employer pressures you to work while ill, when a dismissal is issued during or shortly after sickness, or when your return is made deliberately difficult. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted employment lawyer who handles sick leave cases in your country every day.
Why sick leave disputes happen
Illness leaves you exposed in ways a healthy employee rarely faces.
And some employers take advantage of it.
Sick pay, medical certificates and dismissal protection all have rules — and they are easy to get wrong when you are unwell and unrepresented.
Sick pay withheld or underpaid
Employers dispute the certificate, question the illness, or simply stop paying after a few days, leaving you without income at the worst possible moment. Whether you are owed sick pay, and how much, depends on your country and contract.
Dismissal during or after illness
Being let go while off sick, or shortly after returning, is a common but often unlawful move. Many countries give extra protection to employees on long-term sick leave, and a dismissal linked to illness may be challengeable.
A return to work made impossible
After illness, your role is changed, your hours cut, or your duties quietly reassigned without proper process. A forced change to your job on return from sickness can itself be a legal issue worth challenging.
What you get
A sick leave lawyer who protects your income and your job
We only match you with employment lawyers who handle sickness and sick pay disputes regularly in your country.
Sick pay entitlement review
Your lawyer checks your contract, national rules and collective agreement, then confirms what you should have been paid while ill and whether anything was wrongly withheld.
Dismissal protection
If you have been dismissed during or after illness, your lawyer carefully assesses whether the dismissal was lawful and whether you have grounds to challenge it or to seek compensation.
Return-to-work support
Get clear advice on your rights around returning to work, including reasonable adjustments, a phased return and protection against any forced changes to your role or your terms.
Claim representation
If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, your lawyer prepares your case and represents you before the relevant body, managing medical evidence, deadlines and arguments.
Coverage
Sick leave lawyers across Europe
Sick pay and sickness protection are set nationally and differ sharply between countries, so the right lawyer is one who applies your country’s specific rules every day. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Sick leave — common questions
Am I entitled to sick pay in Europe?
It depends on the country. Some countries require employers to pay full or partial sick pay for a set period, while others rely mainly on state sickness benefits. Your contract or collective agreement may add more, so a lawyer can confirm what applies to your specific situation.
Do I need a medical certificate for sick leave?
Usually yes for absences beyond a short period, though the exact number of days before a certificate is required varies by country and employer. Failing to provide one when required can put your sick pay at risk, so it is worth confirming the rule that applies to you.
Can I be dismissed while on sick leave?
In many countries you can, but only for genuine, non-sickness-related reasons and through a fair process. Dismissal because of the illness itself is often unlawful, and long-term sick leave frequently attracts additional protection — so a dismissal during illness is worth a legal review.
What should I do if my sick pay has been withheld?
Gather your medical certificates, any correspondence with your employer, and your contract, then raise the issue in writing. If it is not resolved, an employment lawyer can assess whether the withholding was lawful and help you recover what is owed.
What are my rights when returning to work after illness?
You generally have the right to return to your role on your existing terms. In many countries you may also be entitled to reasonable adjustments or a phased return. If your employer tries to change your duties, hours or pay, that may itself be challengeable.
Does sick leave affect my annual holiday?
In several countries, time spent on sick leave does not reduce your holiday entitlement, and holiday you could not take because of sickness may carry over or be re-credited. The exact rules vary, so it is worth confirming how they apply to your case.
Free case review
You shouldn’t have to fight for your pay while you’re unwell
Tell us what’s happened and we’ll connect you with an employment lawyer who handles sick leave cases in your country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.