Checkpoints for Sickness Allowance Periods: Implementation of Rehabilitation and Return to Work
Abstract
Checkpoints have been established in the sickness allowance system to ensure monitoring of rehabilitation needs and efforts aimed at returning to work. This study provides new insight into participation in rehabilitation, return to work, and other labour market statuses among individuals who received sickness allowance for 60, 90, 150, or 230 days as well as information on the effectiveness of the 30–60–90 rule introduced in 2012.
Among those on sickness allowance for an extended period, relatively few had participated in rehabilitation covered by Kela or pension providers. The participation rate was higher when public sector rehabilitation and physiotherapy were included. The more sickness allowance days had accumulated, the less likely individuals were to return to gainful employment. The labour market pathways after sickness allowance periods were fragmented for the majority. Following the legislative changes in 2012, the proportion of individuals participating in rehabilitation increased among those who had accrued 30, 60, or 90 sickness allowance days, but there was no impact on returning to gainful employment.
Efforts should be made to prevent the prolongation of sickness allowance periods to support the remaining work capacity and transition to gainful employment. Measures include enhancing the referral to rehabilitation and other services, increasing coordination between different stakeholders, and strengthening the knowledge base.
Full text (julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi)
Authors
Mikko Laaksonen, Riku Perhoniemi, Hanna Rinne, Jenni Blomgren
Additional Information
- Peer-Reviewed: no.
- Open Access: yes.
- Cite as: Laaksonen, M., Perhoniemi, R., Rinne, H., & Blomgren, J. (2023). Sairauspäivärahakausien tarkistuspisteet: Kuntoutuksen ja työhön paluun toteutuminen. Valtioneuvoston kanslia. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-383-091-2
