After two years of decline, sick leave rates are on the rise in France. This is revealed by the annual barometer of the Institute of Psychological Support and Resources (IAPR), a entity of the HR consulting group Diot-Siaci, published on Thursday, April 16th. It is reported that the absenteeism rate among employees is at 4.98% in 2025, a figure that has increased by over 3% compared to the previous year. This rebound is primarily explained by the increase in long-term sick leaves. “Absenteeism of more than 90 days has reached its highest historical level,” the study alerts. This is a signal that the health barometer of the insurer Axa had already captured a few weeks ago, and which Diot-Siaci confirms today.
The cause of these prolonged sick leaves? The mental health of employees, which continues to deteriorate this year. In fact, more than 1 in 4 French people (equivalent to 53% of those who took sick leave at least once in 2025) stated that they had taken time off due to psychosocial risks, whether it was for chronic stress, professional burnout, or deep psychological fatigue.
But among the employees who took sick leave in 2025, three out of ten also admit that their absence was not directly related to their physical or mental health. These are what we call “convenience sick leaves,” which have long been associated with stereotypes.
