Poland has reported a scandalous case that sheds fresh light on the limits of the activity allowed during medical release (L4). The Social Insurance Institution requested the female to pay back as much as 60 1000 PLN sickness benefit. Reason? Bringing my husband dinner to work respective times, just 200 metres from home. This seemingly simple act became the subject of an absurd dispute which went to the labour court and social safety in Warsaw. The sentence, which has just been passed, is groundbreaking for the victim and is simply a key signal for thousands of Poles on L4. It shows that ZUS is not always right, and citizens have the right to defend their rights in the face of controversial decisions. It is simply a informing and hope for anyone who wonders what is allowed and what is not, being on L4.
Ridiculous ZUS Charge: Dinner as a Ground for Receipt?
The point of conflict was in the explanation of female activity by ZUS. While on sick leave, she regularly took her husband a home meal to work, just 200 metres from their apartment. ZUS found these visits incompatible with the intended usage of L4, requesting reimbursement PLN 60 thousand Allowance. The lawyer Dr. Grzegorz Ilnicki, representing the woman, called the case the most absurd win in his career. He emphasized that ZUS did not accuse patients of work, holidays or utmost sports – the problem was only a short visit to dinner. The female explained that her activity did not affect recovery, but ZUS remained relentless, suggesting recourse to court. This attitude forced a citizen into a long court battle.
Breakthrough judgement of the Court: female Wins ZUS
The case went to court in Warsaw. After examining the evidence, the court made a clear decision: repealed ZUS decision, considering it completely unfounded. The court besides ruled that ZUS had to pay the costs of the trial, which is significant, as the representatives of the Department did not appear in the courtroom once. This judgement states valid precedent. It confirms that L4 does not mean complete isolation from everyday life or resignation from basic activities unless they interfere with the treatment process. This is simply a signal that citizens have the right to average activity and the decisions of the Social safety Office can be effectively contested in court.
What is allowed on L4 and what is absolutely not? Expert Explains
Dr Grzegorz Ilnicki emphasizes the key principle: medical release does not equal imprisonment at home. Employees on L4 have the right to normal vital activityprovided it does not interfere with the recovery process. The lawyer gives an example of people with depression, for whom activity outside the home, athletics or contact with nature is recommended. This shows that the explanation of the rules by ZUS should be flexible and take into account the individual nature of the disease. However, absolutely, the lawyer recalls 2 key prohibitions: on L4 you must not work professionally and to go on vacation. These activities are clearly incompatible with the nonsubjective of L4 and may consequence in the withdrawal of the allowance.
Social safety Controls in 2024: Numbers and Consequences for Poles
This case is not isolated. ZUS has a statutory work to control the correct usage of medical exemptions. The data from 2024 are meaningful: the plant checked together 484.4 1000 sick leave. The 36.6 1000 sickness benefits with a full value of close PLN 53 million. These figures show the scale of control and determination of ZUS in the verification of each L4. Ilnicki's lawyer suggests that ZUS "massively refuses to Poles the benefits they deserve and provokes absurd processes". In the face of specified an active control policy, awareness of their rights and obligations becomes crucial. It is worth remembering that any decision of the Social Insurance Institution may be challenged to the court, and the final judgement of the court is binding.
The communicative of a female who won with ZUS after demanding a refund of PLN 60,000 for dinner for her husband is an crucial lesson for all Poles. It shows that the explanation of the provisions on medical exemptions by the Social Insurance Institution may be besides strict. It is crucial to realize that L4 is to service recovery, but does not exclude average regular activity unless it interferes with the treatment process. In the face of the expanding number of inspections of the Social safety Office, the cognition of their rights and the anticipation of recourse to the court become crucial. This case proves that it is worth fighting for, even with a powerful institution.
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ZUS demanded PLN 60,000 for lunch on L4. The court repealed the decision – what does it mean for Poles?
