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What it means for employees:

No later than four weeks after the first day of absence the employer must invite the sick person to attend a conversation about whether and how he or she can return to work. This could involve looking at adjusting working hours, possible changes in what tasks the person can perform, chances for rest from work, working from home. The sick leave conversation is primarily a private affair.

Should the employee be too ill to attend, the conversation could be held over the telephone.

Because of patient confidentiality the employer cannot ask what the employee's sickness entails. The employee only has to explain what physical restriction his or her condition has in relation to their work. An employee representative or other such person must be present during the conversation.

What it means for unemployed people:

Unemployed people shall attend a similar conversation with a representative from their unemployment insurance fund no later than four weeks after the onset of their illness. If the person can not attend, the conversation will be held over the telephone.

The conversation forms the beginning of a follow-up of sickness benefit payments, for which the local municipality is responsible. This follow-up should make clear when the unemployed person thinks he or she will be able to accept work again. If the illness means a reduced capability of working, there should be further conversations to determine what kind of labour market the unemployed person can return to.

After the conversation, the unemployment insurance fund shall inform the local municipality whether the unemployed person took part and when he or she feels they will be ready to accept work again. The municipality will use this information to assess whether a person needs special assistance or rapid intervention from the state. Refusal to attend the conversation could mean a temporary loss of unemployment benefits.