In Ireland, the government has announced that on January 1, 2024, the entitlement to paid sick leave will increase from three to five days. From next year, workers will be entitled to up to five days of sick leave a year, 70% of gross salary, up to 110 euros.
This is the second phase of a four-year plan to gradually increase employer-paid sick leave to ten days in 2026.
The move is to ensure that all employees receive minimum financial compensation if they are unable to work due to illness or injury. It is primarily intended to provide sick pay cover to employees in often low-paid and dangerous roles who do not have access to the company's sick leave scheme.
The scheme offers a floor level protection and does not interfere with existing, more favorable and sick pay schemes. "This gradual increase in paid sick leave gives employers time to adjust and plan its introduction, and reassures workers of their own rights," said Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Neil Richmond.
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