Sygemelding

Sygemelding is a formal notice that a person cannot participate in work or study due to illness. The term is used in Danish-speaking and some Norwegian contexts, as well as in other Nordic workplaces and educational settings. It serves to inform an employer, school, or public authorities about an absence and to support eligibility for sick pay or other benefits.

Who issues it and how: In most cases, a health professional issues a sygemelding, typically in the form of a doctor’s certificate. Some systems allow short periods of self-certification without a doctor’s note, after which a medical certificate is required. The document is usually provided to the employer and, if applicable, to the welfare or social security authority.

Content: A sygemelding states the period of absence and, in some systems, the person’s remaining work capacity (for example, can work a partial number of hours). Privacy rules may limit disclosure of the exact diagnosis; in many cases the certificate notes only that the person is ill.

Impact and procedure: The employer generally handles sick-leave pay according to national rules, and the sygemelding helps coordinate benefits from the welfare system or insurance. The notice also supports return-to-work planning, such as gradual reintegration or rehabilitation.

Legal framework: Rights and obligations regarding sygemelding vary by country, but common elements include promptly notifying the employer, providing documentation when required, and protection against unfair dismissal during illness. Processes depend on national labor and social security laws.