As of: February 6, 2024, 12:00 p.m
By: Anne Hund
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Many employees have to submit a medical certificate after the third day of illness at the latest.
Calendar days apply when calculating the deadline.
Nobody likes to call in sick.
It is important that employees notify their employer correctly if they are absent due to illness, otherwise they could face legal trouble.
An important rule: Those affected should report sick to their employer in person before starting work or, as lawyers often like to explain, in the first hours of operation and at the same time inform them how long they are likely to be out of work.
How should the sick note be reported?
Many employees only have to submit a medical certificate after the third day of illness.
Calendar days apply when calculating the deadline.
(Symbolic image) © Zoonar.com/stocks-mg/Imago
In many companies, the employer makes specific announcements in advance about how the sick note must be transmitted and who, for example, should be informed as the (direct) contact person in the event of a sick report.
In any case, you should have clarified beforehand how the sick note will be transmitted in your own company (for example by email).
Don't forget: Superiors often have to organize a replacement in the event of illness.
When reporting sick, you should therefore also point out which tasks need to be completed during your absence.
When does the medical certificate have to be available?
Now the actual sick note comes into play.
When do I need a medical certificate?
Many companies only require a certificate of incapacity for work (AU) from the fourth day of illness, while others require a certificate earlier.
For example, the employment contract may well stipulate that the employer can request a doctor's certificate from the first or second day.
And you should definitely stick to the relevant deadline.
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Three days sick without a certificate: Does the weekend count?
Many employees only have to submit a medical certificate after the third day of illness.
What then applies when calculating the three-day rule if the weekend falls in between?
In fact, the calendar days apply when calculating the deadline, as the portalkarrierebibel.de
informs
.
“The three-day period applies to calendar days,” the article says – and not to working days.
Means: “If you have already called in sick on Friday, you must present a doctor’s note on Monday because the three-day deadline has been reached (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).
Even public holidays are counted.”
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Don't risk a warning
Under no circumstances should you report illness too late.
Failure to provide proper notification can have significant consequences.
For example, if employees do not show up at work without prior notice when they are sick, they may risk being warned, according to legal experts.