How long is sick leave in Denmark?

In Denmark, sickness benefits are designed to assist individuals connected to the labor market who are unable to work due to their own illness. According to the sickness benefit act (“sygedagpengeloven”), these benefits are generally provided as a short-term measure. An employee can receive sickness benefits for up to 22 weeks within the last nine full calendar months. Before reaching the 22-week limit, the municipality will re-evaluate the employee's entitlement to continue receiving sickness benefits.

What are the eligibility rules for sick leave in Denmark?

In Denmark, all salaried employees are entitled to paid sick leave.

What are the specific conditions and requirements for sick leave in Denmark?

In Denmark, sick leave arrangements have specific aspects that both employers and employees should be aware of:

• Employees must notify their employer of their sick leave according to the guidelines provided in the employee handbook or company practice. The length of the sick leave is not statutorily determined and depends on the employee’s medical condition and a doctor's certification.

• Employers have the right to request a doctor's certificate at any time during the illness, especially if the sick leave is anticipated to last for an extended period, such as 4 weeks. The employer is responsible for covering the costs associated with obtaining the sick note, and the format of the sick note is decided by the doctor.

• During the initial 4 weeks of sick leave, the employer may conduct a sick leave interview, referred to as a sygefraværssamtale in Danish. This interview aims to discuss the anticipated date of returning to work and any accommodations that might be needed. The interview must be scheduled with fair notice, usually a few days in advance, and can be conducted over the phone if the employee is too ill to meet in person.

• A capability report is part of the sick leave management process and comprises two parts:

- The first part, completed by both the employer and the employee, covers topics from the sick leave interview, such as the employee’s reduced functionality, affected work duties, and potential accommodations.

- The second part is filled out by the employee’s doctor, assessing what is medically feasible for the employee.

What is the process for applying for sick leave in Denmark?

To apply for sick leave in Denmark, a supported employee must follow these steps:

• Report the sickness to the HRx Team through our Global Work Platform™.
• Additionally, send an email to support@hellopebl.com, informing the team about the sick leave and providing any sick leave notes from the doctor.