Sick leave in home office - How does it work?
August 9, 2023 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Ludwig Born
Dear Doctor,
I am Theodor Knorr and have been working from home for some time now. Due to health issues that have worsened in the past few days, I am wondering how a sick leave in a home office setting works.
I am suffering from severe back pain caused by prolonged sitting at my desk. Despite taking regular breaks and implementing ergonomic measures on my own, the symptoms are getting worse and affecting my ability to work. I am concerned that I may not be able to perform my work properly and am wondering how to correctly report sick leave.
Since I am already under medical treatment, I would like to seek your advice on how to go about getting a sick leave in a home office setting. Are there specific forms that I need to fill out? Do I need to inform my employer by phone? How long can I be on sick leave while working from home and what measures can I take to improve my health and quickly regain my ability to work?
I hope you can assist me in this matter and provide me with valuable tips on how to handle my current situation. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Theodor Knorr
Dear Theodor Knorr,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise in the field of occupational medicine. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from severe back pain caused by long hours of sitting at your desk in the home office. It is important that you take your health seriously and take appropriate measures to alleviate your discomfort.
Regarding your question about how sick leave works in the home office, I can provide you with the following information: Generally, the same rules apply for sick leave in the home office as in the office or any other workplace. Firstly, you should inform your employer about your illness and let them know that you are on sick leave. This can usually be done by phone or email. Your employer can then take the necessary steps to ensure that your sick leave is properly documented.
Usually, you do not need any specific forms for sick leave in the home office. It is usually sufficient to notify your employer of your illness and obtain a medical certificate stating your inability to work from your doctor. You can then present this certificate to your employer. The duration of the sick leave depends on the severity of your illness. Typically, a sick note is issued for a specific period of time (e.g. 1 week, 2 weeks), but can be extended if necessary.
To improve your health and get back to work quickly, it is important to follow the doctor's instructions and get enough rest. You may also discuss with your doctor suitable measures for pain relief and physiotherapy exercises to alleviate your symptoms. Additionally, taking regular breaks, moving around enough, and implementing ergonomic measures at your workplace are important steps to prevent further back pain.
I hope this information is helpful to you and supports you on your path to recovery. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me again if you have any further questions or concerns. I wish you a speedy recovery and all the best.
Best regards,
Ludwig Born
