The semester break is approaching and many employees are taking their well-earned vacation. But what happens if illness thwarts the planned rest? The Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) explains: Under certain conditions, vacation days are not counted.
If a person falls ill during their vacation, the days in question will not be counted as vacation days under certain conditions. According to Michael Trinko, labor law expert at the ÖGB, the following conditions must be met:
- The illness lasts more than three calendar days.
- The employer will be informed of the sick leave within three days at the latest.
- A medical certificate must be presented upon return from sick leave.
For example, if a person who has two weeks of vacation falls ill from Friday to Monday, the sick leave will be four calendar days. Since this period exceeds three days, Friday and Monday are not deducted from the vacation.
A common misconception is that vacation is automatically extended if you get sick during it. But that is not the case. "The vacation ends on the originally agreed date. You cannot simply add the sick days onto the vacation," Trinko emphasizes. This means that a later return to work is only possible with the appropriate agreement with the employer.
Sick abroad: Observe special rules
Anyone who falls ill abroad must take additional steps to properly prove their sick leave. In addition to a medical certificate, in many cases an official confirmation is also required. This certifies that the certificate was issued by a licensed medical professional.
An exception is made if the person concerned was treated in a public hospital. In this case, the document issued by the clinic is sufficient. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which can be found on the back of the e-card, is also particularly important. This must be completely filled out and valid in order to enable social insurance to cover the costs in many European countries.
Inform in advance, avoid uncertainty
Since the rules on covering the costs of medical treatment abroad vary from country to country, it is advisable to find out about the applicable regulations from the Austrian social security office before you go on holiday. This will help you avoid unpleasant surprises if medical treatment becomes necessary during your holiday.
If you get sick, you can save your vacation days under certain conditions, but you must adhere to clear guidelines. Informing your employer in good time, obtaining a medical certificate and - when traveling abroad - official certification are crucial. However, it is not possible to extend your vacation due to illness. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is advisable to clarify the relevant employment law regulations and the conditions of health insurance in advance.
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