Auvergne-Rhône-alpes regional employees could soon see their sick pay docked, as officials implement a policy designed to curb absenteeism and save taxpayer money.
New Sick Leave Rules Spark Debate
A controversial measure in the Auvergne-rhône-Alpes Region will withhold premium payments for up to seven days of sick leave, starting January 1, 2026.
- The region will impose a waiting period of up to seven days before paying premiums for sick leave.
- officials estimate the policy will save money, which will then be reinvested in rewards for highly engaged employees.
- Unions argue the measure will disproportionately harm lower-income workers and may even prolong illness.
In addition to the national unpaid waiting day already in place, the regional executive led by Fabrice Pannekouke, successor to Laurent Wauquiez, decided to retain up to seven days of waiting on premiums in the event of sick leave. The move, intended “as a policy to combat absenteeism,” affects nearly 9,000 administrative, technical, and high school agents. Unions estimate the income loss could reach approximately 200 euros net for ten days of stoppage in one month.
“The Choice of Merit”
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region defends its decision as “the choice of merit,” citing an absenteeism rate reaching 10%, or roughly 700 agents and 160,000 hours lost. The region plans to “reinject the savings made thanks to waiting days for the benefit of agents the most invested,” according to official communications.
