What if you get sick while on vacation?

What if you are unlucky and fall ill while on vacation? Every summer, the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate receives many questions from workers who were prevented from taking a holiday because their holiday plans were ruined by illness.

Most people wonder if they can make up for the lost vacation period later? This question is answered by Vigleik M. Aas, who is the head of the secretariat at the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate (Arbeidstilsynet).

Possibility of postponement with a medical certificate

Holidays are regulated by the Holidays Act but collective agreements may also contain holiday provisions. Here are the main rules:

If you, as an employee, fall ill during your holiday:

• If you are on sick leave during your vacation, you can postpone the vacation from the first day of illness, including Saturday.
• You must document your illness with a medical certificate / sick leave and speak to your employer as soon as possible.
• To be entitled to a new holiday, you must be on full (100 percent) sick leave.

If, as an employee, you become completely incapable of work before your holiday:

• The leave can be postponed to a later year.
• You must document your illness with a sick leave and speak to your employer as soon as possible, no later than the last working day before the holiday.

Read more about an employee's right and obligation to take leave.

Assess your needs

- Of course, you can continue your vacation even if you suffer an injury that would normally prevent you from working. A broken finger or inflammation of the wrist can make it impossible to work in many professions. But it might as well be the case that a well-planned vacation can be realized, says Vigleik M. Aas from the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate.

- The same goes for the other side. A broken ankle doesn't necessarily mean you won't be able to work if you have office work. But a planned hike in the mountains or a beach vacation may not be possible with a foot cast. You need to talk to your doctor about this so that together you can correctly assess your disability, says Aas.

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