France Changes Rules on Sick Leave for Public Workers
Listen to the story
France is making changes for people who work for the government. This is called the public sector. The changes are about sick leave, part-time medical work, and holidays.
One big change is about sick leave. Workers take sick leave when they are ill and cannot work. From September 1, 2026, sick leave will be limited. This means workers cannot take as much sick leave as before.
Another change is about therapeutic part-time work. This is when a worker returns to work slowly after being sick. They work part-time while they get better.
There is also a change about holidays. Sometimes workers cannot take their holiday on time. Now, they can postpone their holiday to a later date.
These changes are important for millions of public workers in France. They will change how workers manage sickness and rest.
Vocabulary5 words
- public sector
- jobs where the government is the employer
- sick leave
- time off work because you are ill
- limited
- not allowed to be very much or very big
- therapeutic part-time work
- working fewer hours while getting better from an illness
- postpone
- to move something to a later time
Quiz
Answer key
1. September 1, 2026 2. Public sector workers in France 3. Working fewer hours while recovering from illness
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
France is making changes for people who work for the _____. This is called the public sector.
One big change is about _____ leave.
From September 1, _____, sick leave will be limited.
This means workers cannot take as much sick leave as _____.
Another change is about therapeutic _____ work.
This is when a worker returns to work slowly after being _____.
There is also a change about _____.
Now, they can _____ their holiday to a later date.
These changes are important for millions of public _____ in France.