Employees of French hospitals take an average of 10 days' sick leave every year compared to 7.9 days for those working in other sectors, according to a study published by the French Ministry of Solidarity and Health in November 2017.

The differences vary widely from role to role. Doctors and administrative staff take much less leave than healthcare assistants and maintenance staff and, to a lesser extent, nurses.

These disparities are due to the differences in working conditions, notably exposure to physical constraints. Psychosocial stresses and emotional demands are also key factors in the amount of sick leave taken.

Although women are more likely to take sick leave than men (4.8 days more on average every year), this disparity does not exist once women are past childbearing age.

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