Your well-deserved holiday has been cut short by illness – but what now?
The most important rules to bear in mind at the outset
- If you fall ill whilst on holiday and are unable to work, consult a doctor immediately and obtain a certificate confirming your incapacity for work and its expected duration.
- On the first day of your illness, inform your employer of your incapacity for work, as well as its expected duration and your whereabouts. You should also provide the same details to your health insurance provider.
- If possible, send your sick note to your employer on the same day; use digital services (such as the electronic sick note, eAU, in Germany) and ensure you receive confirmation that your sick note has been received.
Important!
A sick note confirming that you are unfit for work must be submitted to your employer by the fourth calendar day of your illness at the latest.
The key questions:
On sick leave but still going on holiday?
Check with your doctor whether going on holiday is compatible with your recovery and get this confirmed in writing.
Discuss your holiday plans with your employer and do not act on your own initiative.
What if you fall ill abroad?
Your European Health Insurance Card covers your treatment in most cases in other EU countries and in some non-EU countries.
Check with your health insurance provider in advance to find out which contracted doctors or hospitals you are permitted to visit if you fall ill.
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.png?height=181&width=216 "Falling ill on holiday (1)")
Sick child on holiday – are you still entitled to holiday pay?
No, the rule that working parents are entitled to paid childcare time does not apply whilst on holiday.
Doubts about the validity of a sick note?
Employers can protect themselves against ‘absenteeism’ by involving the health insurance provider’s medical service and arranging for an expert medical examination. Furthermore, having a private investigator follow the employee is also an option.
Anyone caught committing fraud will not only have to pay for the investigation but may also lose their job.
Please note!
Holiday days must not be added to sick days without authorisation!
In order for sick days to be credited during your holiday, the above rules must be followed.
The holiday must be reapplied for and approved.
Sources:
https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/arbeitsrecht-krank-im-urlaub-strenge-regeln-19449908-0083-463e-b68f-b2b7caad9f84
https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/verbraucher/Krank-im-Urlaub-Was-tun,krankaufreisen100.html