Sick Leave
Plain English
It's paid sick leave from your job. You get a sick note from your doctor (which goes electronically to INPS and your employer), and you stay home for the prescribed period. Pay during malattia is part employer, part INPS.
Why it matters
Without a proper sick note, an absence isn\'t protected as malattia and can be treated as unjustified. Always ask your doctor to file the note in the system, not just give you a paper one.
Real example
"When she came down with the flu in Ascoli Piceno, Saskia booked a same-day visit with her medico di base. The doctor sent the sick note straight to INPS and her HR portal flagged the absence automatically."
Common confusion
There are fasce di reperibilità: time windows when you must be at home in case of an INPS check. Skipping town during those hours, even for a quick errand, can cost you your sick pay.
Official source
INPS