Sick leave benefits are a crucial part of the Finnish social security system, aimed at providing support and protection for employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury. In this article, we will explore the sick leave benefits available in Finland, the eligibility criteria, and the process for claiming them.
WHAT DO I DO IF I AM Sick AND EMPLOYED?
The first thing you have to do is contact your workplace and inform them of your sickness. According to the Finnish Employment Contracts Act, you are entitled to payment on the days you are supposed to be working but are incapacitated by illness. However, for that to happen, you need to follow some guidelines:
- You must inform the employer in the appropriate manner according to your workplace rules, in a timely manner.
- Your illness must affect you enough that you are unable to perform your normal work duties, and it has to not be caused intentionally or by gross negligence.
- You have provided sufficient documentation to prove your illness. This varies workplace to workplace. Some employers demand that you provide a medical note, signed by a doctor, in all circumstances. Others might agree that you can just self-inform your sick leave for the first 3 to 5 days.
WHO IS ENTITLED TO BE PAID AND FOR HOW LONG?
Everyone who is in a working relationship is entitled to sick leave pay. Usually, the collective bargaining agreement of your sector will determine how long the sick leave pay is. The general rules according to the law is that the first ten days of your sick leave are paid by the Employer, and then you can apply for KELA sickness allowance if you need more time. Holidays are not counted as sick leave days.
If your contract is over one month, you are entitled to full pay as sick leave. If it is less than one month, you have the right to receive 50% of your pay as sick pay.
Some employers, according to the collective bargaining contract, will not pay the first day sick leave for relationships under two years. This is called the "karenssi" period.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL PERIOD UNDER A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT TO PAY SICK LEAVE?
This is a difficult question to answer as each agreement has its own provisions. On average, the period of sick leave paid is between 24 to 60 days, and can increase with longevity of employment with the one employer. It's best to consult your employer on the specifics of your company's policy.
After the maximum amount of days have been paid by the employer, you will need to go to KELA and apply for sickness allowance.
I STILL FEEL SICK, DO I HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK WHEN MY SICK LEAVE FINISHES?
You shouldn't be working if you feel sick. If you are still unable to return to your normal duties, you have to contact your doctor again. After a long period on sick leave, your employer might organize a meeting with you, your boss and your medical provider to see if there is any options to return back to work.
In Finland, employers have a duty of care to their employees for health and safety. This means that if you are unable to perform your normal duties due to illness, but are able to work in some other capacity, the employer should find some work for you if they have the opportunity.
CAN I BE FIRED FOR BEING SICK?
As a rule, no. In Finland, it's illegal to fire someone for being ill. The employer has to work with you and the doctor to see if there are any other roles or modifications they can do to your job to accommodate your returning back to work. However, if you have been ill for a long time, and there is no opportunities to offer you alternative work, then the employer might have to let you go.
Then, you need to find another job that is working with your illness, or you can look at applying to KELA for sick leave pay or disability pension.
WHAT IF I FALL SICK ON MY HOLIDAY?
If you become sick while on holiday, you have the right to use sick leave instead of holiday leave for the period of your illness. This means that you can take sick leave for the days that you are too sick to enjoy your holiday and then use your remaining holiday entitlement at a later date.
To take sick leave while on holiday, you must inform your employer as soon as possible about your illness and provide a medical certificate from a doctor stating that you are unfit to work or enjoy your holiday. Your employer may also require you to provide documentation showing that you have cancelled or rescheduled any planned activities or travel arrangements due to your illness.
If you are sick for the entire duration of your holiday, you can take sick leave for the full period of your illness. If you become sick part-way through your holiday, you can take sick leave for the days that you are sick, and then resume your holiday once you have recovered.
It is important to note that you must use your sick leave entitlement to cover the days that you are too sick to enjoy your holiday. If you choose to continue with your holiday despite being sick, you cannot later claim that time as sick leave.
WHERE DO I GET A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE FROM?
A medical certificate can be obtained from a health station or private clinic, hospital or a nurse. Most workplaces in Finland provide you with an occupational health service. If you are not eligible for this, you can use the public health system.
Check with your employer under what circumstances a nurse can sign your medical certificate. Most workplaces demand that a doctor sign the certificate if you want to be paid for those sick leave days. Nurses can sign in limited situations.
CAN I RETURN TO WORK BEFORE MY SICK LEAVE ENDS IF I FEEL BETTER?
There is no law in Finland requiring you to stay home for the whole period of your sick leave. If you feel better, you can return to work. However, you need to make sure that you are fit for duties and you are not contagious.
MY EMPLOYER IS REFUSING TO PAY ME SICK LEAVE?
If an employer is refusing to pay you sick leave, it can be because it was not informed the right way, or you are not providing the right documentation. Maybe the sick leave was accepted but it is not a reason to pay it, so it becomes unpaid sick leave.
The first thing you should do is talk to your boss and ask why it is not being paid. If you are not satisfied with the answer, contact your local union or SAK. They will help you to understand what is going on, and if you are being treated unfairly, they will fight for you to get the payment you deserve.
WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CARE?
In Finland, all employers are legally required to provide occupational healthcare services to their employees. The services are typically provided by a designated occupational healthcare provider, which can be a private company or a public health center. The employer is responsible for covering the costs of the occupational healthcare services.
The scope of occupational healthcare services in Finland can vary depending on the employer and the type of work being performed. However, common services include:
- Health check-ups and medical examinations
- Preventive healthcare and health promotion programs
- Counseling and guidance on workplace-related health and safety issues
- Treatment of work-related illnesses and injuries
- Rehabilitation services to support employees in returning to work after a period of illness or injury
- Employees have the right to access occupational healthcare services provided by their employer. They are also entitled to choose their own occupational healthcare provider if their employer does not provide the services in-house. The costs of these services are covered by the employer.
CAN I HAVE SICK LEAVE FOR STRESS AND BURNOUT?
Yes, in Finland, it is possible to have sick leave for stress and burnout. Occupational stress and burnout are recognized as medical conditions that can have significant impacts on a person's physical and mental health.
If you are experiencing stress or burnout that is impacting your ability to work, you should speak with your doctor or occupational health care provider. They can assess your condition and provide a diagnosis, as well as recommend a treatment plan that may include sick leave, therapy, or other interventions.
To qualify for sick leave due to stress or burnout, your doctor must certify that your condition prevents you from working or engaging in other activities. Sick leave benefits may be provided by your employer, KELA, or both, depending on the terms of your employment contract and the length of your sick leave.
It is important to note that taking time off work to recover from stress or burnout is not a sign of weakness or failure. Burnout is a serious condition that can have long-term consequences if left untreated. It is important to prioritize your health and wellbeing, and seek the necessary support and resources to recover and prevent future burnout.
WHAT CAN I DO WHILE I AM ON SICK LEAVE?
There is no easy answer to this. The general idea is to rest and rehabilitate. So, it depends on your illness. Sick leave is supposed to be a time you recuperate so that you are able to return to work. It is not a time for holidays, parties or going shopping with your friends. However, an employer can't prevent you from doing things that will make your illness better.
For example, if you have a fever and flu, you should be in bed resting. If you have a bad knee and going to the gym helps, then you should be exercising. If you have burnout and are told to relax, then yes you can do fun things to help you feel better. The treatment prescribed by your doctor has to be justified to your employer if questions arise.
CONCLUSION
In Finland, everyone is entitled to sickness payment if you are employed. The employer is responsible to pay for the first ten days of sick leave, or for however long it is agreed upon in the collective bargaining agreement. After that, your entitled to compensation from KELA.
As an employee, your responsibility is to inform your employer of your illness and get a medical certificate as proof. You should genuinely be sick and unable to perform your work tasks. If your medical leave lasts for a long time, you should work with your employer to find alternative ways to return back to work. If your employer is unable to offer you alternative work tasks, they might have to start the termination process.
You are entitled to sick leave during your holiday if you are so ill that you are unable to enjoy your time off. Inform your employer and provide all necessary documentation.
Sick leave benefits can be combined with other benefits to provide additional support for those in need if you receive money from KELA. You should contact them and ask if you have any questions about sickness allowance.
Do you have any other questions about sick leave in Finland? Let us know in the comments below!
