Svenskt Näringsliv’s new company-panel survey brings a specific consequence of abolishing Sweden’s karensavdrag into focus: more employers may seek first-day medical certificates for repeated short-term sickness absence. But the survey records possible intentions, not evidence that such demands would automatically become widespread.
According to Dagens Nyheter, 51% of respondents said they would definitely use first-day certificates more often if the qualifying deduction were abolished. Including those who said they probably would lifts the figure to 82%. Svenskt Näringsliv is using the result to argue for retaining the deduction, which it regards as a financial excess that discourages increased short-term absence.
A first-day certificate is not, however, an unrestricted employer control. Employers can already require a medical certificate from the first day in cases such as repeated short-term absence, but special grounds are required. They cannot impose a blanket first-day certificate requirement on every employee. Collective agreements may also require local negotiations at many workplaces.
That is why the 82% should not be treated as a forecast. DN’s material does not set out the panel’s sample size, method, wording or margin of error. LO’s contract secretary, Veli-Pekka Säikkälä, also doubts companies would actually implement the approach for their own employees.
The District Doctors’ Association identifies the practical pressure point if demands do increase: more certificate work in primary care. Its chair, Ylva Sandström, says the certificates are not medically motivated and that companies seeking broader use should first turn to occupational health services.
LO wants to abolish the karensavdrag because it says the deduction falls hardest on workers who cannot work from home and may encourage people to work while ill. That argument must be weighed against employers’ concerns. Before any reform takes effect, the government and labour-market parties should set out how first-day certificate rules would operate and who would carry the added administrative burden.
Sources
- Dagens Nyheter · Source date: 2026-11-13
Independent editorial content. WUA is not affiliated with any political party. 2026-11-13