Can you work from home while sick? On Friday, October 31, during the Social Security Commission’s examination of the Social Security financing bill, two identical amendments were approved authorizing this practice.
They provide that a doctor may “prescribe the continuation or resumption of a teleworking activity as an alternative to a total stoppage of work, when the patient’s health status allows it.” One of the amendments was proposed by the deputy Stéphane Viry, from the Liot group, and the other by the modern deputy Nicolas Turquois.
The latter proposes that the conditions (prescription, duration, re-evaluation), medical criteria, eligibility for the position and conditions of agreement with the employer be set by decree in the Council of State.
76% of employees have already teleworked while sick
In the explanatory memorandum, the two amendments highlight the increased cost of sick leave and see teleworking as a way to reduce it. But this situation is already a reality for many workers. In fact, according to a study by the Teleworking Observatory, 76% of people surveyed already worked from home while they were sick.
This measure may raise questions, since the doctor is supposed to judge whether the employee is fit to work. For example, for common illnesses such as the flu or gastroenteritis, considering that the patient can work from home can even be dangerous.
However, the MPs who tabled these amendments are considering other scenarios, in particular a more gradual return to work in the context of a long lockdown.
Maintain the link between the employee and your company?
In the explanatory statement, deputy Stéphane Viry believes that “this measure favors a gradual and adapted recovery, in particular of certain pathologies such as musculoskeletal or anxiety-depressive disorders.”
To come into force, this measure must be adopted in plenary session and appears in the final Social Security financing bill voted by Parliament. daily when total interruption is not medically necessary” and “to improve the continuity of the connection with work.
Despite these arguments, teleworking can be a factor of isolation or additional pressure perceived by employees. Therefore, it should be handled with caution, especially in psychologically fragile patients.
To come into force, this measure must be adopted in plenary session and appear in the final Social Security financing bill voted by Parliament.
Source: BFM TV
