Sick on Vacation: Rights and Obligations for Employees

In principle, vacation days are credited back after a sick leave of three days, the ÖGB reminded in a broadcast on Sunday. However, it is important to inform the employer about the onset of an illness and also to obtain a medical certificate.

"Anyone who is sick should go to the doctor - not only to receive treatment but also to obtain a medical certificate of incapacity for work," says ÖGB labor law expert Verena Weilharter. The certificate must be presented to the employer when returning to work.

Three Days of Sick Leave

However, the sick leave must last at least three days. Those days that fall within the regular working hours are credited: If a person who normally works five days a week (Monday to Friday) is sick from Friday to Monday during vacation, there are four sick leave days. However, only those days that are normally worked, i.e., Friday and Monday, are credited.

However, the sick leave days cannot simply be added to the end of the vacation. A new vacation agreement is required for these credited days, the ÖGB reminds.

Official Confirmation

If you fall ill abroad, you not only need a medical certificate of incapacity for work. Upon return, you must also present the employer with an official confirmation that the medical certificate was issued by a licensed doctor. The official confirmation can be issued by the Austrian consulate or embassy, for example. This additional official confirmation is not required if you were treated in a hospital and the sick leave certificate was issued there.

"Whether you can go to a doctor abroad with your e-card and have the costs fully covered by social insurance depends on the respective vacation country," says labor law expert Weilharter. In any case, you need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which can be found on the back of the e-card. To ensure that the costs - in the case of a private clinic or hospital - are 100 percent covered, additional travel insurance is recommended.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.