H1N1 brings easier terms for sick leave

Week at home, no doctor’s note needed in many places

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A large proportion of those who fall ill with swine flu are to be allowed to convalesce at home for a longer period than usual without seeing a doctor.
      In advance of the expected epidemic of the H1N1 virus, the state and private employers are relaxing their rules on sick leave.
      The general policy will be that employees who feel symptoms of the disease would be allowed to spend a week at home before having to get confirmation from a doctor, according to Sari Ojanen, head of negotiations at the Commission for Local Authority Employers.
      A simple telephone call would be enough for many work places.
     
State employees are to be allowed to stay at home from work for five days by showing “reliably” that they have a flu. In practice this means a telephone call to a supervisor. Two more days would be possible by phoning a nurse.
      The government will have to issue a decree on the changes, because the current rules on sick leave for state employees are written into legislation.
     A similar relaxation of rules is also expected for parents caring for a sick child at home.
     
The Confederation of Finnish Industry (EK) recommends that an employee who has come down with swine flu should get a statement from a nurse, by telephone, to stay at home for up to a week. If necessary, the nurse could issue the recommendation in writing.
      EK head physician Kari Kaukinen expects that most companies affiliated with EK will go with the recommended procedures. However, he says that the moves should not be applied until the epidemic has really reached Finland.
      “We’re not there yet”, Kaukinen says.
     
The recommendations are to be applied in different ways in work places and municipalities.
      For instance, at the postal services company Itella, someone with swine flu can spend three days at home by calling the supervisor. Previously, only one day off has been allowed with a supervisor’s permission.
      No changes have been made at the railway company VR. The company has planned that if the epidemic hits, a nurse will be allowed to grant four days off by telephone. Previously, a visit to a clinic has been required on the first day of illness.
     Sari Ojanen of the Commission for Local Authority Employers says that in cases which abuse of the rules is suspected, the person taking sick leave can always ask to provide a doctor’s certificate.
     “The idea is not that everyone should have an extra week’s holiday.”
     
The aim of the eased rules on sick leave is to reduce pressure on health care services if a swine flu epidemic breaks out.
      A rush of people with the swine flu asking for doctors’ certificates would cause unnecessary problems for public health centres.
      Officials recommend that only those in certain risk groups, such as pregnant women, children under the age fo three, and patients suffering from certain chronic ailments.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish Defence Forces confirm first swine flu case in garrison (10.8.2009)
  Confederation of Finnish Industries EK: Companies entitled to decide their policies with regard to swine flu absences (31.7.2009)
  Health officials say WHO pandemic pronouncement does not alter Finland’s preparations for swine flu (12.6.2009)
  Researcher: Swine flu to land in Finland from south in the autumn (18.5.2009)

Links:
  WHO: Influenza A(H1N1)

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