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Finland: Workers delay sick leave due to fear of job loss
Research from the Institute of Occupational Health indicates that Finnish employees are increasingly hesitant to take sick leave due to fears of job loss during the current economic downturn. Professor Annina Ropponen notes that this trend is evident across all types of absences, including long-term, doctor-prescribed leave, as workers fear being replaced during their absence.
Experts warn that working while ill can prolong recovery times. While the pandemic popularized self-reporting sick leave without medical certificates—a practice supported by providers like Mehiläinen and Terveystalo—the ability to work remotely varies by sector. While remote work allows some to recover while staying productive, it remains impossible for those in construction, retail, or the restaurant industry.
Entities
Aki Äijälä · Annina Ropponen · Institute of Occupational Health · Mehiläinen · Terveystalo
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Annina Ropponen, a research professor at the Institute of Occupational Health, states that fear of job loss is causing employees to delay sick leave. www.esaimaa.fi · www.ilkkapohjalainen.fi · www.ksml.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] The tendency to delay sick leave is observed across all types of absences, including doctor-mandated long-term leave. www.esaimaa.fi · www.ilkkapohjalainen.fi · www.ksml.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] Aki Äijälä, lead physician at Terveystalo, notes that post-pandemic norms encouraged staying home when symptomatic. www.esaimaa.fi · www.ilkkapohjalainen.fi · www.ksml.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] Government employees in Finland have a five-day limit for self-reported sick leave. www.esaimaa.fi · www.ilkkapohjalainen.fi · www.ksml.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] Working while ill can lead to longer recovery times. www.esaimaa.fi · www.ilkkapohjalainen.fi · www.ksml.fi