Therapeutic part-time work conditions in 2026
05 March 2026 · 4 min reading time
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See job offersReturning to work after an illness or an accident is not always possible on a full-time basis. Therapeutic part-time work, also known as part-time therapeutic leave, allows employees to gradually return to their professional activity while continuing to receive medical support.
This system aims to support recovery and prevent relapse by temporarily adapting the employee’s working schedule to their health condition. It applies to both the private sector and the public sector, although the specific rules may vary depending on the situation.
Conditions of eligibility, duration, salary maintenance and the role of the employer: here is what you need to know about therapeutic part-time work in 2026.
What is therapeutic part-time work?
Therapeutic part-time work, legally referred to as part-time therapeutic employment, is a specific arrangement that allows employees to return to work following sick leave or an accident.
It is implemented when a doctor considers that returning to full-time work would be premature, but that reduced activity is compatible with the employee’s health condition.
This arrangement differs from standard part-time work because it is based on medical reasons. Under certain conditions, it allows employees to continue receiving daily allowances paid by the health insurance system, in addition to the salary corresponding to the hours worked.
The level of activity is determined according to the employee’s medical situation and may be adjusted during the period if their health condition evolves.
In which situations can you benefit from therapeutic part-time work?
Therapeutic part-time work is implemented when an employee’s health condition requires an adjusted return to work.
It is often introduced:
- after a long period of sick leave
- following a serious or chronic illness
- after an accident that caused temporary incapacity
- as part of a gradual return after burnout
This arrangement concerns both private sector employees and public sector workers, although the rules may differ depending on their status.
Its purpose is to temporarily adapt working hours to the employee’s personal situation. The duration and working time percentage are determined according to the evolution of the medical condition.
What salary is paid during therapeutic part-time work?
During therapeutic part-time work, the employee does not receive only the salary corresponding to the hours actually worked.
The principle is as follows: the employer pays the salary proportional to the working time performed. In addition, the health insurance system may continue to provide daily allowances to partially compensate for the income loss resulting from reduced working hours.
The total income therefore depends on two elements:
- the salary paid by the employer
- the daily allowances paid by the health insurance fund
The combined amount cannot exceed the salary the employee would have received if they had worked full-time.
In some companies, additional salary maintenance may be provided by a collective agreement or internal company policy. It is therefore important to check the provisions applicable within the company.
The level of compensation during therapeutic part-time work therefore varies depending on the employee’s situation, the agreed working hours and the applicable collective agreements.
Example of salary calculation during therapeutic part-time work
Consider an employee whose gross monthly salary at full-time is €2,000.
Their doctor prescribes a return to work at 50% of normal working hours.
The employer therefore pays the salary corresponding to the time actually worked, which is €1,000 gross.
In addition, the health insurance system may provide daily allowances to partially compensate for the loss of salary. The exact amount depends on the previous salary and the applicable calculation rules.
For example, if the allowances amount to €600, the employee would receive:
€1,000 (employer) + €600 (health insurance) = approximately €1,600 gross
However, the combined income cannot exceed the full-time salary, which in this example is €2,000.
This amount may also be supplemented by the employer if the applicable collective agreement provides for more favorable salary maintenance.
What is the procedure to obtain therapeutic part-time work?
Setting up therapeutic part-time work follows a specific procedure involving several actors. It generally begins with the opinion of the treating physician, who considers that a gradual return to work is preferable to an immediate full-time return after sick leave, a workplace accident or an occupational disease.
The doctor then issues a medical prescription recommending therapeutic part-time work. This request is sent to the Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM), which must approve the potential continuation of daily allowances during the return-to-work period.
At the same time, the employer must agree to the organization of reduced working hours. In some cases, an appointment with the occupational health physician may be arranged to assess the employee’s ability to return to work and to adapt working conditions if necessary.
Once these approvals are obtained, the employee can return to work with adjusted working hours defined according to their health condition and potentially modified over time.
Therapeutic part-time work vs sick leave: what is the difference?
Therapeutic part-time work and sick leave serve different purposes, even though they often follow one another.
Sick leave fully suspends professional activity. The employee does not work and may receive daily allowances from the health insurance system, sometimes complemented by the employer.
Therapeutic part-time work, on the other hand, allows a partial return to work. The employee works reduced hours while continuing to receive additional compensation.
In other words, sick leave corresponds to a complete interruption of work, while therapeutic part-time work organizes a gradual return to professional activity.
The transition from one to the other depends on the evolution of the employee’s health condition and the doctor’s recommendation. It is not an automatic mechanism, but a progressive adjustment of the employee’s professional situation.
Can you be dismissed during therapeutic part-time work?
Being on therapeutic part-time work does not automatically protect an employee from dismissal. The employment contract continues, but it is not suspended as it is during full sick leave.
However, an employee cannot be dismissed because of their health condition. A dismissal based solely on illness or the implementation of therapeutic part-time work would be considered discriminatory and therefore invalid.
Nevertheless, dismissal may occur for a different reason, such as misconduct, economic grounds, or objective disruption to the company’s organization due to prolonged absence requiring a permanent replacement.
Each situation must be assessed according to its specific circumstances and the respect of legal procedures. If there is any doubt, the employee may challenge the decision before the labor court.
Therapeutic part-time work therefore does not grant absolute protection, but any dismissal must be based on a real and serious reason unrelated to the employee’s health condition.
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