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BusinessPolitics163 words1 min read

Italy's INPS Updates Rules for Sick Notes

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Listen to the story

INPS is a big office in Italy. It helps workers who are sick. INPS makes rules about sick leave from work.

INPS has new rules now. Before, a worker needed a paper on the same day. The paper is called a certificate. It shows a worker is sick.

Now the rule is different. A worker can visit a doctor at a clinic. This is called an ambulatorio in Italian. It means a small doctor's office.

The certificate can now cover the day before the visit too. This is called retroactive coverage. It means it works for a past day.

This is good news for workers. Sometimes people feel sick one day. But they can only see a doctor the next day. Now they still get help.

The new rule gives workers more coverage. Coverage means protection or help. Workers can rest at home and still get paid.

This change helps many people in Italy. It makes sick leave easier to use.

Vocabulary15 words

INPS
a big Italian office that helps workers
certificate
a paper that says you are sick
ambulatorio
a small doctor's office
retroactive
working for a day before, not only today
coverage
help or protection you get
sick leave
time off work because you are ill
rule
something you must follow
worker
a person who has a job
visit
to go and see someone, like a doctor
doctor
a person who helps sick people
clinic
a small place where doctors work
paid
to get money for work or leave
change
to make something different
office
a place where people work
protection
keeping someone safe

Quiz

1. What is INPS?
2. What is new about the certificate?
3. True or false: The change helps workers who feel sick one day but see a doctor the next day.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

INPS is a big _____ in Italy. It helps workers who are sick.

INPS makes _____ about sick leave from work.

Before, a worker needed a paper on the same _____.

The paper is called a _____.

Now the rule is _____.

A worker can visit a doctor at a _____.

The certificate can now cover the day before the _____ too.

This is called _____ coverage.

Workers can rest at home and still get _____.

The new rule gives workers more _____.

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