Study to analyse national sick leave policies and their impacts on workers’ health and productivity to identify best practices for workers and businesses

The European Commission, specifically the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, plans to initiate a procurement contract focused on analyzing national sick leave policies across EU Member States and four EFTA countries. This upcoming opportunity is characterized as a service contract rather than a traditional grant, indicating that the selected organization will be compensated for completed services rather than receiving funds for independent research initiatives.

Eligible applicants are likely to include large enterprises, research institutions, and consulting firms with the required expertise in social policy, economics, and labor market analysis; it is noted that the opportunity is not suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The study aims to provide an up-to-date analysis of sick leave policies, evaluating their effects on workers' health and productivity and identifying best practices for both workers and businesses.

The project will involve mapping sick leave policies, analyzing their main features and changes since 2020, examining their impact on health and productivity, and assessing the implementation and outcomes to identify effective practices. The need for a holistic approach involving various stakeholders is emphasized. The delivery of comprehensive reports that include literature reviews, economic analyses, and policy recommendations will be a key requirement.

While the exact funding amount is not specified, it is indicated that the contract will be of middle or low value, with a maximum duration of 10 months. The procedure identifier for this contract is EC-EMPL/2025/LVP/0013-EXA, and it is categorized under research consultancy services.

Key milestones for the application process include the start of the expression of interest period on August 7, 2025, with a deadline of September 9, 2025, and the anticipated launch of the negotiated procedure on September 15, 2025. Interested parties should monitor the EU Funding and Tenders Portal for official updates and detailed documentation regarding the tender. The aim of this project aligns with broader EU objectives related to promoting sustainable work life, healthier workforces, and resilient labor markets, following the principles outlined in the European Pillar of Social Rights.

The European Commission, specifically the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), plans to launch a negotiated procedure for a middle or low value contract. This is not a call for tenders but an announcement of the contracting authority's intention to publish a future negotiated procedure. The procedure identifier is EC-EMPL/2025/LVP/0013-EXA.

The subject of the procurement is a study to analyse national sick leave policies and their impacts on workers’ health and productivity, with the aim of identifying best practices for workers and businesses. This initiative aligns with the Action Plan on labour and skills shortages (COM(2024) 131 final). Sick leave policies are defined as organisational rules, procedures, and entitlements at the national level that govern how employees take time off and return to work following illness or injury.

The procurement aims to provide an up-to-date analysis of national sick leave policies, including their main features and effectiveness. A previous study in 2016 analysed Member States’ sick leave policies and sickness benefits, revealing significant differences in eligibility conditions, leave duration, and payment rates (doi: 10.2767/531076). The European Agency EU-OSHA has also conducted research on sick leave policies, focusing on rehabilitation and return to work policies across all EU Member States and the four EFTA countries (doi: 10.2802/48176), as well as on measures supporting return to work after severe illness. These studies emphasized the need for holistic approaches and better coordination among stakeholders, including medical professionals, employers, and vocational services.

The study has three main objectives:

1.  Mapping of sick leave policies: Provide an up-to-date mapping of sick leave policies (including rehabilitation and return to work policies) across EU Member States. This includes analysing their main features and policy changes since 2020 or over the past 10 years, as relevant, and identifying upcoming reforms.
2.  Examining effects on workers’ health and productivity: Examine the effects of sick leave policies on workers’ health and well-being, as well as on productivity. The study should also consider complementary measures that enhance the effectiveness of sick leave policies, such as those focused on health risk prevention, mitigation of sickness-related risks, and the promotion of workers’ health and productivity.
3.  Assessing implementation and outcomes: Assess the implementation and outcomes of sick leave policies to identify good practices that benefit workers and businesses, particularly those that support workers’ gradual return to work following extended sick leave. These practices can facilitate effective recovery while maintaining labour market attachment and help companies retain human capital and reduce staff turnover costs. The role of relevant stakeholders in the implementation of sick leave policies should also be considered.

To achieve these objectives, the tenderer must deliver a report that synthesises findings from literature reviews, economic analyses, and comparative policy research at both EU and Member State levels. The report should include comparative in-depth analysis, evidence-based conclusions, and policy recommendations. An executive summary suitable for dissemination to a non-specialist audience will also be required.

The results of this study will inform the design of sick leave policies that safeguard workers’ health, support gradual reintegration into the labour market, promote longer and sustainable working lives, and contribute to a healthier and more resilient workforce, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The estimated total value is not specified. The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, DG EMPL - Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. The main classification (CPV) code is 73210000 - Research consultancy services. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 10 months. There is no framework agreement.

Key milestones include:

Start date for expression of interest: 2025-08-07 Europe/Brussels
Deadline for expression of interest: 2025-09-09 05:59 Europe/Brussels
Indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure: 2025-09-15 Europe/Brussels

Expressions of interest must be submitted exclusively at the address provided. The method of expression of interest is electronic.

A frequently asked question (FAQ) clarifies that references with ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders but announcements of the contracting authority’s intent to launch a future negotiated procedure.

In summary, this opportunity is a pre-announcement for a future negotiated contract concerning a study on national sick leave policies within the EU. The European Commission aims to gain insights into the effectiveness of these policies, their impact on workers' health and productivity, and to identify best practices. The study will involve comprehensive research, analysis, and the formulation of policy recommendations. The project is geared towards informing the design of better sick leave policies that support workers' well-being and contribute to a more resilient workforce. Interested parties should monitor for the official launch of the negotiated procedure, expected around September 15, 2025, and prepare to submit an expression of interest electronically before the deadline on September 9, 2025. The contract is anticipated to be of middle or low value, with a maximum duration of 10 months.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is a planned call for tenders, and the eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the nature of the study, it is likely that eligible applicants would include research institutions, consulting firms, universities, and other organizations with expertise in social policy, economics, and labor market analysis. The call is aimed at those who can deliver a report that synthesizes findings from the literature review, economic analyses and comparative policy research at both EU and Member State levels.

Funding Type: The funding type is a service contract, as the European Commission intends to procure for a study. This is indicated by the phrase "intends to procure for a study" and the "Nature of the contract" being listed as "services".

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. It is possible to infer that both single applicants and consortia could be eligible, but this would need to be confirmed in the full call for tenders documentation when it is released.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The study focuses on national sick leave policies across EU Member States. Therefore, it is highly likely that the geographic eligibility for applicants includes EU Member States. The European Agency EU-OSHA has also carried out research on sick leave policies, focusing on rehabilitation and return to work policies across all the EU Member States and the four EFTA countries.

Target Sector: The target sector is social affairs and inclusion, specifically focusing on sick leave policies, workers' health, and productivity. This falls under the broader category of employment and social policy.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity focuses on EU Member States. The European Agency EU-OSHA has also carried out research on sick leave policies, focusing on rehabilitation and return to work policies across all the EU Member States and the four EFTA countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is research and analysis, as the primary goal is to conduct a study and produce a report with evidence-based conclusions and policy recommendations.

Funding Amount: The opportunity is described as a "planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract." While the exact funding amount is not specified, this suggests that the contract value is likely to be in the range of €50,000 to €1,000,000, although this is an estimation based on the "middle/low value" descriptor.

Application Type: The application type is a planned negotiated procedure. This means that after an initial expression of interest, selected applicants will be invited to participate in a negotiated procedure.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services, specifically the delivery of a study and report.

Application Stages: Based on the description, the application process will involve at least two stages: an expression of interest and a subsequent negotiated procedure for selected applicants.

Success Rates: The success rates cannot be determined from the provided text, as this is a planned call for tenders.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This is a pre-announcement for a planned call for tenders by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL). The call aims to procure a study analyzing national sick leave policies across EU Member States. The study will assess the impacts of these policies on workers' health and productivity, with the goal of identifying good practices that benefit both workers and businesses. The study should provide an up-to-date mapping of sick leave policies (including rehabilitation and return to work policies) across EU Member States, analysing their main features and policy changes since 2020 or over past 10 years as relevant, and identifying upcoming reforms. The study shall examine the effects of sick leave policies on workers’ health and well-being, as well as on productivity. The task should also consider complementary measures that enhance the effectiveness of sick leave polices, such as those focused on health risk prevention, mitigation of sickness-related risks, and the promotion of workers’ health and productivity. The study shall also assess the implementation and outcomes of sick leave policies to identify good practices that benefit workers and businesses, notably those that support workers’ gradual return to work following extended sick leave. The selected contractor will be required to deliver a report synthesizing findings from literature reviews, economic analyses, and comparative policy research. The report should include comparative in-depth analysis, evidence-based conclusions, and policy recommendations, along with an executive summary. The contract is expected to be of middle/low value, and the maximum contract duration is 10 months. The expression of interest period is planned to start on August 7, 2025, with a deadline of September 9, 2025. The indicative date for launching the negotiated procedure is September 15, 2025. Interested parties should monitor the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for the official call for tenders and related documentation. The procedure identifier is EC-EMPL/2025/LVP/0013-EXA. The main classification (CPV) code is 73210000 - Research consultancy services. The study's results will inform the design of sick leave policies that safeguard workers’ health, support a gradual reintegration into the labour market, promote longer and sustainable working lives, and contribute to a healthier and more resilient workforce, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights.