Discussing illness and vocational rehabilitation in the new collective bargaining agreement

The collective bargaining agreement between the member organizations of ASÍ and SA, signed on May 5, 2011, specifically provides for illness and vocational rehabilitation and the involvement of labor and employer organizations in a steering group run by VIRK. The agreement states that the parties intend to review the development of preventive healthcare and occupational safety.

The agreement further states: „The goal is to promote a predictable response to illness and to provide an employee who becomes ill with appropriate resources as soon as possible." This includes, among other things, increased flexibility in the workplace to ensure that individuals who become ill or injured and are in active rehabilitation have the opportunity to return in accordance with their work capacity at any given time.

It is clear that this goal will only be achieved if there is mutual trust between employers and employees regarding sick leave, preventive healthcare in the workplace, etc.

The contracting parties participate in a steering group run by VIRK that works towards the objectives mentioned above.

“Particular attention will be paid to a pilot project being launched by VIRK on prevention and vocational rehabilitation." It is noted that the contracting parties will use this knowledge and experience in their work.

VIRK welcomes this statement on a review of the development of preventive healthcare and occupational safety, as numerous studies indicate that the longer an employee is absent from work, e.g., due to illness and accidents, the more likely they are to drop out of the labor market.

Research has also shown that the sooner one intervenes in the illness process, the sooner recovery is achieved. For example, part of a given employee's recovery process can be giving them the opportunity to come to work based on their ability to work. Various options can be offered, such as shorter working hours, different tasks, adjustments to the work environment according to the employee's needs, or even starting slowly by inviting the employee to coffee, to sit in on meetings, and to various events.

Taken from the ASÍ homepage