"Part-time sick leave" to be introduced in 2006
Part-time work to be made option for those returning to work after long illness
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A system of part-time sick leave is to be introduced in Finland from the beginning of 2006. The aim of the proposed reform is to ease the return to work of those recovering from a long illness.
"When people are on sick leave for a long time, they are afraid to return to work, and are tempted by the idea of opting for retirement. The aim is to support their return to work", says Sinikka Näätäsaari of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK).
A working group comprising representatives of employers, trade unions, and the state, says that the drafting of the proposed reform has proceeded well.
Under the proposal, a person taking part-time work after a long illness would be paid for the hours he or she works, and would receive partial sick leave pay. The days on part time sick leave would not be counted as part of the 300-day maximum for paid sick leave.
Trade union representatives on the working group feel that part-time sick leave should apply only to those who have been on sick leave for a long time, and that the employee would have to come back to the job he or she had before going on leave. Employers’ representatives would like to extend the arrangement to cover all wage earners from the very beginning of the sick leave.
"We have many types of illnesses which would allow part-time work during the whole duration of the sick leave, but nobody wants those who are very sick to come to work", says Kari Kaukinen, a physician at the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (TT).
Leila Kostiainen of the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees (STTK) sees that the specific idea of the reform is to make it easier for those who have been on sick leave for a long time to return to work.
The deadline for the working group is Friday this week, and it has not requested a new deadline.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 28.4.2004 - TODAY |
 "Part-time sick leave" to be introduced in 2006 |
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