sickness absence and disability management in sweden

1. Brisbane 10 October 2006 Sickness absence and Disability Management in Sweden John Selander, PhD Centre for Studies on Rehabilitation Mid-Sweden University �stersund, Sweden

2. Brisbane 10 October 2006 Sickness absence in Sweden 9 million inhabitants 5.3 million are working age 200 000 on long-term sickness absence 550 000 on disability pension A significant problem!

3. Brisbane 10 October 2006 On Swedish sickness insurance Everyone aged 16-65 years is covered by a compulsory social sickness insurance. Income related benefit (80%). Any type of illness/injury. Medical certificate after 7 days Taxable as an income. Unlimited in time.

4. Brisbane 10 October 2006





9. Brisbane 10 October 2006 Disability Management in Sweden A comprehensive social insurance system! Social insurance office � responsible authority Co-ordination and supervision Significant employer responsibilities! The workplace is viewed as the optimal environment for ill-health prevention and rehabilitation!

10. Brisbane 10 October 2006 Employer responsibilities: Rigorous laws! safe working environment ill-health prevention Employer primarily responsible for RTW process. The employer shall: investigate potential rehabilitation needs conduct a rehabilitation investigation initiate (and pay for) RTW programmes/ activities

11. Brisbane 10 October 2006 Other important stakeholders in DM: The individual Early and co-ordinated rehabilitation for clients in need Both rights and obligations The physician Sickness certificate for clients unable to work due to illness/injury Provide appropriate treatment

12. Brisbane 10 October 2006 Identified problems in Swedish DM: The social insurance office More a passive administrator, than an active co-ordinator. Substantial work load! The employer Often fairly passive. Rehabilitation investigations seldom conducted. Often late and of questionable quality. Often unwilling to pay for RTW programmes/activities.

13. Brisbane 10 October 2006 The individual Only few receive RTW activities. Early rehabilitation is rare. The physician Sickness certificates of questionable quality. Clients� wishes, rather than health status. Limited knowledge of work place.

14. Brisbane 10 October 2006 How can DM be improved? Jobs needed! A more flexible labour market 1.2 millon Swedes not in work Danish �flexicurity� Legal �rights� to receive RTW activities Economic incentives For employers For individuals Education For employers For physicians For social insurance officers

15. Brisbane 10 October 2006



sickness absence and disability management in sweden

sickness absence and disability management in sweden

Presentation Transcript

Sickness Absence Procedures

Lawson Absence Management

‘Performance Management, Lean and Sickness Absence Management – Workers Paying for the Crisis’

Sickness Absence and Management Information Workshop

Insurance Arrangements for Maternity and Sickness Absence

Absence Management

Rethink The Future: The New Normal In Absence And Disability Management

‘Lean, performance management and sickness absence – the new workplace tyranny?’

Absence management

Sickness absence as an indicator of health ?

Sickness Absence Management

Management of Sickness Absence & Return to Work

Leadership and sickness absence

Revised Sickness Absence Policy

UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING SICKNESS ABSENCE Terry Coulthard and Peter Dewis

Cutting sickness absence

Absence Management

Sickness absence and the Health and Work Service

Sickness Absence and Absence Management

Managing Sickness Absence Dr Karen Nightingale

Managing Sickness Absence Dr Karen Nightingale

War Against the ‘War on Sickies’ - - Sickness Absence Management

sickness absence and disability management in sweden