Russians Combining Employment and Civil Contracts Can Claim Sick Pay from Both Insurers
Russia overhauls sick pay rules for workers with multiple contracts
Russians who work simultaneously under an employment contract and a civil-law agreement are entitled to sick leave benefits from each insurer, First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection Tatiana Butskaya told TASS.
The lawmaker explained that if a citizen has an employment contract with one employer and a civil-law agreement with another, sick pay is calculated and paid separately for each arrangement. However, when determining benefits for the primary workplace, earnings from the civil-law contract are not factored into the average wage calculation.
The rules differ for those working under multiple civil-law contracts or copyright agreements. In such cases, the benefit is paid as a single sum but is calculated based on the total average earnings. The worker may choose which insurer processes the sick leave claim, provided that the combined insurance contributions paid by all insurers over the previous year meet or exceed the cost of the insurance year.
Butskaya also reminded the public of a recent update by the Ministry of Health regarding sick leave procedures for parents on childcare leave. Even if a person on parental leave is formally employed elsewhere, they remain eligible for sick pay.
Under current law, sick leave certificates are issued for an employee's own illness or injury, a child's or family member's illness requiring care, or in connection with pregnancy and childbirth. Typically, the first three days of sick leave are covered by the employer, with the Russian Social Fund paying for subsequent days.
The benefit amount depends on the average earnings over the previous two years and the insured's length of service: those with eight or more years of service receive 100% of their average wage. The minimum payment is based on the minimum wage, while the maximum daily sick pay in 2026 is capped at 6,800 rubles.
