Exposure and outcome variables
The exposure variable was sick leave, which in our study
meant that a sickness benefit claim from the Social Insurance
Agency had been made. In Sweden, the employer has
covered at least 14 days of all sick leave spell during the
study period (until 31 December 1996: 14 days; 1 January
1997 to 31 March 1998: 28 days; 1 April 1998 to 30 June
2003: 14 days; 1 July 2003 to 31 December 2004: 21 days;
After 1 January 2005: 14 days). This period is not visible in
any public register for persons with an employer. After
7 days of sick leave, a doctor has to certify that the person’s
work ability is reduced. Disability pension, sick leave
and unemployment benefit are regulatory mutually exclusive.
It is, however, possible to get sickness benefit also
when unemployed, but you will then be unregistered as
jobseeker.