According to an analysis by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, a pilot project for paid sick leave has been shown to be effective in reducing "presenteeism," where people work while ill, and promoting timely treatment and economic stability for vulnerable groups. In particular, the timely treatment rate of workers in small businesses significantly improved thanks to paid sick leave, and their anxiety about income instability and job loss also decreased. Paid sick leave plays a role in preventing poverty by compensating for income losses due to illness and is evaluated as an effective social safety net that overcomes the limitations of health insurance. Accordingly, the government plans to expand the nationwide paid sick leave program in the latter half of 2027.
