“Businesses see developments as positive. The new rules seem to be having the intended effect on companies — that more people can work to their abilities and that people who’ve been sick can get quick support to get back,” says Sofia Bergström, social insurance expert at Swedish Enterprise.
The study shows that sick leave has dropped in businesses of all sizes. In three of four with more than 200 employees, sick leave has diminished. Just as many companies work more actively on rehabilitation. In the smallest companies, with fewer than 10 employees, where sick leave is often lengthier, four out of ten report a reduction in sick leave. And about three of ten of those small companies have become more active in rehabilitation.
Few companies say the reform has led to employees turning up for work even though they are sick. Only 13 percent say it has become a problem.
The survey was carried out together with Demoskop during the period 11-24 February 2010.
