Temporary easing of working conditions
If you have been ill for more than 60 days but your health already allows you to work, you can return to work under lighter conditions from the 61st day of illness.
To return to work, you need the consent of your doctor and employer. If your employer agrees, your work will be adjusted to suit you – you can work part-time or perform lighter tasks.
Why return to work under lighter conditions?
If you return to work under lighter conditions before you are fully recovered, you are more likely to avoid permanent disability.
You may also recover from your illness more quickly if you interact with people and feel that you are doing something useful.
Only return to work when your health allows it. Follow your doctor's recommendations and the working conditions specified in your sick leave certificate.
To return to work, you need the consent of your doctor and employer. If your employer agrees, your work will be adjusted to suit you – you can work part-time or perform lighter tasks.
Why return to work under lighter conditions?
If you return to work under lighter conditions before you are fully recovered, you are more likely to avoid permanent disability.
You may also recover from your illness more quickly if you interact with people and feel that you are doing something useful.
Only return to work when your health allows it. Follow your doctor's recommendations and the working conditions specified in your sick leave certificate.
Who can work under lighter conditions?
Can work:
- employee with an employment contract
- civil servant
- self-employed person spouse involved in business activities
Can work:
- employee with an employment contract
- civil servant
- self-employed person spouse involved in business activities
Cannot work:
- employee with a contract of mandate or contract for services
- business account holder
- self-employed person
- member of the management board of a company
Cannot work:
- employee with a contract of mandate or contract for services
- business account holder
- self-employed person
- member of the management board of a company
Where to start?
Talk to your doctor
After 30 days of sick leave, inform your doctor in good time that you wish to return to work with simplified tasks. The doctor will issue a sick note for this purpose up to 30 days before the expected date of return to work.
Agree with your employer
Working under lighter conditions is an option, not an obligation. Your employer and treating physician must agree to your return to work.
Ask your employer if they are willing to allow you to work under the conditions prescribed by your doctor. These conditions are listed on your sick leave certificate. We recommend that you set out all the important details – the date of your return to work, the nature of your work, and your salary – in writing.
Work must take your health into account
The doctor will assess your health at least every 30 days, issue a subsequent sick note and, if necessary, change your work restrictions. However, if your health deteriorates again while you are working, the doctor will terminate the adjusted sick note and issue a sick note for release from work.
When working under conditions adapted to your needs, you can take vacation, be on care leave or sick leave if you are affected by another illness.
Starting work under customized conditions
Before returning to work, agree with your employer in writing when and under what conditions you will start work and what your salary will be. Your salary must correspond to your workload. For example, if you work 80% of your normal workload, your salary must be 80% of your salary before you fell ill.
The Health Insurance Fund will reimburse the difference between your average salary on the day before the start of your initial sick leave and the salary paid by your employer. The difference in sickness benefit and working under adjusted conditions is paid for a total of up to 182 (240 in the case of tuberculosis) days in one case.
In addition, if necessary, you can receive supportive employment services from the Unemployment Insurance Fund, such as occupational rehabilitation, experience counseling, and assistive devices necessary for work.
Important to know!
- Your employer must pay at least 50% of your monthly salary prior to your illness, even if you are working fewer hours.
- If your salary remains the same, the Health Insurance Fund will not reimburse the difference.
Important to know!
- Your employer must pay at least 50% of your monthly salary prior to your illness, even if you are working fewer hours.
- If your salary remains the same, the Health Insurance Fund will not reimburse the difference.