Overview of Sick Leave Patterns in Russia
Last year, roughly one in three Russians, about 31 percent, took time off work due to illness. Among those on leave, most did so only once, representing 60 percent of respondents. About one third, or 34 percent, paused work 2 to 3 times, while 6 percent took sick leave four or more times during the year. These figures come from a study conducted by Rabota.ru in collaboration with SberHealth and summarized by socialbites.ca.
The primary reason for sick leave was serious illness, reported by 91 percent of participants. Seven percent took leave to care for a sick child, and 6 percent left work to undergo various medical procedures. A smaller portion, 3 percent, took leave at the first sign of illness, illustrating a range of responses to health concerns.
Experts emphasize the importance of acting early. To prevent complications, it is advised to consult a medical professional at the first symptoms. Early diagnosis can lead to more effective and faster treatment, reducing the total days spent on leave. Staying home when illness is present helps limit the spread of viruses and bacteria to coworkers and can prevent health deterioration. As noted by Suna Isakova of the SberZdorovye medical group, delaying care can raise the risk of symptom escalation, pneumonia, additional infections, sepsis, and potential organ damage to the brain and heart.
There was a recent policy shift in Russia that increased the maximum tax deduction for treatment, reflecting changes aimed at supporting medical care and recovery for workers.