Sickness Benefit Systems and Incentives in Europe (SIRKE)

Sickness absence generates substantial costs for employees, employers, and public finances. European countries differ considerably in how sickness benefit systems, financing models, and incentive structures are organised.
The SIRKE project examines sickness benefit systems, their financing, and the incentives used across European countries. The aim is to generate internationally comparable evidence on sickness absence compensation systems and the policy tools used to manage them, particularly regarding their impact on sickness absence, costs, and return to work.
The findings will support evidence-based policymaking by identifying international practices and assessing their relevance for the development of the Finnish sickness insurance system.