When Your Child Is Sick on a Workday in France
Juggle a feverish toddler, the nursery, your partner and a call to your manager on a French workday.
French nurseries and childminders won't take a child with a fever, so parents juggle partners, grandparents and remote work. By law employees get congé enfant malade: three days a year, five if the child is under one or you have three or more children under 16, on presentation of a certificat médical. It is unpaid under the Code du travail, but many collective agreements and public-sector employers pay it, so check yours.
- 1
Le petit a de la fièvre.
The little one has a temperature.
- 2
Il a 38,9.
He's at 38.9.
Tip: French writes decimals with a comma and says 'thirty-eight nine'.
- 3
La crèche ne le prendra pas avec de la fièvre.
The nursery won't take him with a fever.
- 4
Tu peux le garder ce matin ?
Can you look after him this morning? (to your partner)
- 5
J'ai une réunion importante que je ne peux pas rater.
I've got an important meeting I can't miss.
- 6
Je vous appelle pour vous prévenir que je ne viendrai pas aujourd'hui.
I'm calling to let you know I won't be in today. (to your manager)
- 7
Mon fils est malade.
My son is ill.
- 8
Je vais prendre un jour de congé enfant malade.
I'm going to take a day of sick-child leave.
- 9
Est-ce que je pourrais plutôt télétravailler ?
Could I work from home instead?
- 10
Je reste joignable par téléphone.
I'll still be reachable by phone.
- 11
Vous avez besoin d'un certificat médical ?
Do you need a doctor's note?
- 12
Je vais demander à ma mère de venir le garder.
I'll ask my mum to come and look after him.
- 13
Il a mangé quelque chose ?
Has he eaten anything?
- 14
Donne-lui du Doliprane.
Give him some paracetamol.
Tip: French parents name the best-known brand rather than the drug.
- 15
Fais-le bien boire.
Make sure he drinks plenty.
- 16
Il n'a pas dormi de la nuit.
He was awake all night.
- 17
Il va un peu mieux ce soir.
He's a bit better this evening.
- 18
Il peut retourner à la crèche demain.
He can go back to nursery tomorrow.
- 19
Guéris vite, mon cœur.
Get better soon, sweetheart.
- 20
Je rattraperai mon travail demain.
I'll catch up on my work tomorrow.