Polish Drivers Abuse Sick Leave for Vacations

Transport Sector Faces Critical Staff Shortages Amidst Summer Travel Season

Polish truck drivers working abroad are increasingly using sick leave as a pretext to return home for holidays. This practice, primarily observed among those employed in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, is causing significant disruptions and staff shortages for employers during peak seasons.

Abuse of “L4” System Suspected

Transport industry leaders report a disturbing trend where drivers present medical certificates, known as “L4,” not due to genuine illness but as a means to take extended breaks. **Mikołaj Zając**, president of a transport firm, highlighted these concerns.

“We are receiving signals from companies in the transport industry—their drivers employed abroad are increasingly presenting sick leave to actually come to Poland on vacation,” said **Zając**, as quoted by Prawa.pl.

Employers suspect these sick leaves are being utilized contrary to their intended purpose, leaving companies struggling to maintain operations.

Rotational Work Schedules Facilitate Exploitation

The nature of international transport work, often involving rotations of several days on the road followed by extended rest periods, makes it simple for drivers to align their “sick leave” with their scheduled downtime. This allows them to remain on payroll without performing their duties for months at a time.

“It happens that employees do not work at all in a given month, and yet they receive a high salary in euros, which may be up to several thousand zlotys a month. Unfortunately, this practice is becoming more and more popular, especially during the holidays,” explained **Mikołaj Zając**.

Adding to the burden, some drivers are reportedly taking on additional work within Poland while officially on sick leave, further straining the resources of their foreign employers.

Deteriorating Image of Polish Drivers

In 2023, over 2.5 million Poles resided abroad, with approximately 150,000 employed in the transport, forwarding, and logistics sectors. While Polish drivers are vital to Western European logistics, growing suspicions of abuse are tarnishing their professional reputation.

The issue creates a ripple effect. **Mikołaj Zając** emphasized that one driver abusing their leave imposes additional costs on the entire company, whether through the need for replacements or delayed deliveries, ultimately impacting the standing of Polish professionals in the industry.

Carriers note that the surge in sick leave during summer is not coincidental. Drivers are aware that the Polish system for monitoring sick leave differs from stricter Western European standards, creating an environment ripe for exploitation.

According to Eurostat data, as of January 2024, the road freight transport sector in the European Union employed over 2.6 million drivers, underscoring the critical need for reliable staffing across the continent. The situation in Poland highlights a growing challenge in maintaining workforce integrity within this essential industry.