Sickness Benefit – How it Works
We all can be affected by illness, and it’s good to know how it works when you’re self-employed. Here, we summarize the key points for claiming sickness benefits if you fall ill.
If you’re sick as a freelancer
If you become ill during your assignment, you need to report your sickness to us at Cool Company on the same day you fall ill. You can do this by emailing to sjukanmalan@coolcompany.com. You also need to inform us as soon as you know when the work is expected to resume.
As a freelancer through Cool Company, you are entitled to sick pay from the first day of your employment, i.e., from the day your pre-announced assignment starts, if the assignment period is at least one month long. You can also receive sick pay for shorter assignments if you have been employed, i.e., had a pre-announced assignment, for at least 14 working days.
Medical certificate for longer illness
If you are sick for more than seven days, you need to be able to provide a medical certificate from the eighth day of illness to be eligible for sick pay. The medical certificate should both confirm your illness and its impact on your ability to perform your assignment, as well as the duration of the illness.
Medical certificates can be sent by mail to our address:
Cool Company Scandinavia AB Tegnérgatan 2C 113 58 Stockholm
A medical certificate is issued by a doctor or dentist depending on the cause of your illness. It is not possible to obtain a medical certificate from a nurse, physiotherapist, or similar.
Questions and Answers about Sick Pay and Medical Certificates
To obtain a medical certificate, you need to see a doctor who, after examination and assessment, issues a certificate confirming your illness. Once the doctor issues a medical certificate, you can usually find it on the 1177 Healthcare Guide service
To receive sick pay when you’re ill, a doctor needs to certify that you are too ill to go to work. Neither you nor your employer can determine this.
The most common way to see a doctor is through a healthcare center. The 1177 Healthcare Guide provides summaries of all healthcare providers in Sweden and usually contact information to book an appointment. If, for example, you have problems with toothache, you should turn to a dentist, who can also issue medical certificates.
Here’s a summary of the process:
- Notify Cool Company via email if you fall ill during your assignment period.
- If your illness extends beyond seven days, you’ll need a medical certificate from the eighth day.
- Cool Company will handle the case and disburse sickness benefits if all conditions are met.
