ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) audited employees on their L4. The results exceeded expectations.

• After auditing sick leave certificates in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, ZUS recovered over PLN 2.5 million.
• Throughout the country, in the first half of this year, the Department carried out 227,000 L4 inspections.
• He suspended the payment of 14,800 benefits totaling over PLN 22.1 million.

In the first half of 2025 alone, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) recovered over PLN 2.5 million after auditing sick leave records in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. During one inspection, inspectors found that a woman on sick leave was performing hairdressing services. According to applicable regulations, she violated the rules for using sick leave and lost her entitlement to benefits for the entire sick leave period, reports Super Express.

From January to June 2025, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) audited a total of 5,900 sick leave certificates in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. In 206 cases, it suspended benefit payments—to the tune of over PLN 355,000. It also reduced post-employment benefits by over PLN 2.1 million. In total, it "saved" over PLN 2.5 million. This is more than a year ago, when audits generated PLN 2.2 million in the first half of the year.

ZUS reminds that sick leave is time that should be used for treatment, not for additional earnings or a holiday trip.

Super Express estimates that nationwide in the first half of this year, the Social Insurance Institution conducted 227,000 L4 inspections. It suspended the payment of 14,800 benefits, totaling over PLN 22.1 million, and reduced post-employment benefits by PLN 128.3 million. As a result, a total of PLN 150.5 million was returned to the Social Insurance Fund.

Some inspections were the result of anonymous reports, often from neighbors and co-workers who noticed irregularities. Employers employing more than 20 people also have the right to conduct L4 inspections.

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