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You are here: Home i In Focus i In focus 2010 i Theme: Nordic region tightens sick leave rules i The constant hunt for ways to limit sick leave

The constant hunt for ways to limit sick leave

Levels of sick leave vary a lot between the different Nordic countries, yet it seems it gets harder and harder to qualify for sickness benefit - whether the level of sick leave rises or falls. There is no agreement among researchers on what really lies behind these variations, nor on what policies actually work.
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Sick leave in the Nordic region

Denmark: 4-6 percent 

2008

Finland 4,5 percent

2008

Iceland 1-2 percent

2006

Norway: 7.7 percent

3rd quarter 2009 

Sweden: 2.5 percent

3rd quarter 2009

Only Norway and Sweden publish quarterly sick leave statistics. Older numbers and information is used for the other Nordic countries.

Number of days before a medical certificate must be presented:

Denmark: 3 days

Finland: 0-2 days

Norway: 3 or 8 days

Iceland: 3 days

Sweden: 7 days

For how long can you be off sick?

Denmark: 52 weeks over an 18 month period.

Finland: 300 working days, including Saturdays.

Iceland: 52 weeks over a two year period.

Norway: 50 weeks over a three year period.

Sweden: No more than 364 days over a 450 day period.

Percentage of sickness benefit compared to salary

Denmark: 90-100 percent

Finland: ca 70 percent

Iceland: A set figure irrespective of salary

Norway: 100 percent

Sweden: 80 percent

Number of days before benefit starts being paid:

Denmark: None

Finland: None

Iceland: None, but sickness benefit depends on how long you have been employed

Norway: None

Sweden: 1

Number of days the employer is responsible for paying sickness benefit:

Denmark: 21 days

Finland: 10 working days (including Saturdays)

Iceland: 1 month

Norway: 16 days

Sweden: 14 days

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