Sick leave is time off granted to employees who are unable to work because of illness or injury. Depending on the country and the length of absence, it may be paid by the employer, by the state, or by a combination of the two. Most jurisdictions also set rules on when a medical certificate is required.

Entitlements vary widely. In the UK, eligible employees receive Statutory Sick Pay, while many EU countries guarantee a percentage of salary from the first or second day of absence. Some employers top this up to full pay as a benefit. Tracking each rule accurately is where leave management software earns its place.

For HR teams, sick leave is as much about data as it is about pay. Recording every absence consistently feeds metrics like absence rate and the Bradford Factor, helps spot wellbeing issues early, and keeps payroll and statutory reporting correct across every location the company operates in.