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What Happens If You Really "Break A Leg!?"
According to the Cambridge Idioms Dictionary, "Break a leg!" is something you say to wish someone good luck, especially before they perform in the theatre. Although there are many theories, the derivation of this term is unclear. The expression reflects a theatrical superstition that wishing a person "good luck" is actually considered bad luck. But is it really bad luck if you "break a leg?" Recently, I broke a bone in my right foot while playing basketball (not work related) and was unable to walk or drive a car for about seven weeks. Even though I "broke a foot," and was definitely upset about the pain and physical limitations, I considered myself lucky that I had the support of family members, lived in a place (a suburb of New York City) that enabled me to use car services and/or mass transportation to get around, and had a job that permitted me to continue working on an extremely flexible schedule—both in terms of when and where the work could be performed. But what happens to the majority of people throughout the world when they "break a leg" or foot or experience any other injury outside of the job that makes it impossible for them to continue working for a period of weeks or months? Will their medical bills be paid for them? If so, who will "foot" the bill? Will they have a right to take a medical leave from their job while they recuperate? If so, will they be paid during their medical leave? Will their employment be protected so that they can return to their position when they are physically able. And will they be required to present their employer with a medical certification or other clearance before they will be permitted to return to work? As the Chart below indicates, while workers' experiences certainly differ from country to country, the differences may not be as dramatic as one might think.
Medical bills |
Medical leave |
Job protection |
Medical certification to return to work |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Australia |
Private matter and 55%
of people have medical insurance |
10 days paid leave per
year which accrues year to year; otherwise unpaid unless private
salary protection insurance |
Yes, for 3 months after
paid leave is exhausted |
Medical clearance
usually required |
Canada |
Most are paid by the
public health care system |
Most companies have
standard insurance plan which pays either 100% or 66.67%. If no
insurance, can apply for up to 15 weeks of sickness benefits
through government plan |
Yes | Employer can require
medical certification |
China (Shanghai) |
Paid by employer health
insurance required by law |
Paid at minimum 42% to
maximum 70% of salary based on years of service |
Yes, for minimum 3
months and maximum 24 months based on years |
Employer can ask for
medical records |
Egypt |
Yes, either through the
General Authority for Health Insurance or Employer insurance |
Paid 75% salary for
first 90 days then 85% for up to 180 days (but not less than
minimum wage) |
Yes, until sick and
annual leave periods are exhausted |
Employer can require
medical certification |
France |
Paid by social security
and Employer health insurance |
Paid by social security
and potentially with an obligation for the employer to maintain the
salary |
Yes | May be required to pass
medical exam |
Germany |
Paid 100% by statutory
social security system |
First 6 weeks paid at
100% salary,then up to an additional 52 weeks at 66.67%
salary |
Yes |
No |
Italy |
Paid 100% either by
employer insurance or by health public assistance system |
Salary paid in full or
partially (depending on National Collective Bargaining Agreement
(NCBA)) by employer and then reimbursed by social security usually
for up to 6 months (depending on NCBA) |
Yes, for at least 6
months depending on NCBA |
Medical clearance
required if more than 60 days |
Mexico |
Paid by social security
institute |
Social security
institute determines duration of leave and pays 100% salary |
Yes |
No |
Poland |
Paid by statutory
sickness social insurance |
Paid at 80% salary |
Yes | Medical clearance
required if more than 30 days |
South Africa |
If the employee has
medical aid insurance, the insurance company will pay |
Yes, up to 6 weeks per
36 month cycle |
Yes |
Generally, No. However,
certain job categories may require |
United Kingdom |
Mainly paid by public
healthcare system, or, if private healthcare, by the individual or
private medical insurance company |
Up to 28 weeks of
statutory sick pay available at prescribed rate. Employers often
have enhanced policies for certain period of sickness absence |
Yes | Employer can require
medical certification |
United States |
Most employees have
group medical insurance plans |
Unpaid leave for up to
12 weeks most employees have short term disability insurance to pay
percentage of salary |
Yes, for 12 weeks for
most positions |
Employer can require
medical certification |
In this month's edition, we feature articles from eight different countries Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Israel, UK and US. Please let us know what you think of the articles and if you have suggestions for how we can improve our content. As always, we thank you for you readership and look forward to your comments and suggestions.
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