Duration of Sick Leave, Income and Health Insurance: Evidence from French French linked employer-employee data

This article analyses the relationship between the duration of sick leave, income and health insurance. The analysis is based on a modified version of the model developed by Allen (1981), taking into account the specificity of the French model. We used the HYGIE database constructed from the merger of administrative files on private sector employees in France in 2005. The estimates are calculated using a discrete time-proportional hazard model that allows for unobserved heterogeneity. Estimation results show that current wage has a negative effect on the duration of sick leave. Moreover, the different Health Insurance modalities appear to modify employee behaviours concerning work absences.