New Sick Leave Policy Sparks Controversy in Elderly Care Facility

Starting from July 29, 2025, the Handelsträdgården elderly care facility in Lyckeby has enforced a new policy requiring staff to present medical certificates from the first day of illness. This decision comes amid concerns regarding fraudulent sick leave, particularly highlighted during the busy Skärgårdsfest week in nearby Karlskrona.

Unit manager Fatma Almassri stated that these strict measures are crucial for maintaining patient safety and ensuring clarity regarding staff expectations for sick leave. However, the move has faced significant backlash from the union, with Kommunal leader Oskar Engström describing it as a form of collective punishment that fosters mistrust among employees. Engström criticized the blanket approach, asserting that it overlooks the need for individualized assessments and solutions to combat issues of sick leave abuse.

In response to the protests, the management issued a follow-up memo indicating that individual circumstances would still be considered in sick leave assessments, even with the new directive in place. Engström has called for negotiations with management to discuss the policy’s implications and seek more nuanced solutions.