Career
May 2, 2024

Ill in the probationary period: You should know that

Sick to go to work? clear case of well intentioned but poorly done! And that's also true (or above all) when you're still in the probationary period. Because if you're sick, you can not give 100 percent, but the employer should see how good your skills are. And: You increase the risk of infecting other employees or customers. But does not threaten the termination in the probationary period when I am sick?

Sick in the probationary period = termination?

Have you caught a big cold and are you going home for a few days? OK then! No sensible employer wants you to drag yourself to work sick and perhaps even infect colleagues. Although true in the Probationary period of notice of two weeks according to paragraph 622, paragraph 3 of the German Civil Code (BGB) (in a collective agreement, however, divergent arrangements can be made). But a short illness is usually no reason for employers to terminate the employment relationship.

Sick in the probationary period? you should do that

Unfortunately, pathogens do not take into account favorable or unfavorable times. And: Everyone gets sick, so do not worry! So that nothing goes wrong in the new job, you should pay attention to a few things in the sick report:

Call your employer as soon as possible by phone, Depending on the company, you should report to your supervisor and / or the human resources department.
Some employers already require from first day of illness a medical certificate, others only from the third day, Check what was recorded in your employment contract! Inform you in advance in the company, which channel for the sick message is the usual (by phone, mail or even by messenger service?). Are you still fresh in the company, it makes sense to play it safe and quickly log off by phone. Even if you intend to go to the doctor, contact the employer first and not afterwards. When visiting a doctor without an appointment, it may well be that you have to wait longer. But your employer may need to reschedule or find a replacement for you at short notice.
Are you still sick and get one follow certificate from the doctor, you have to do that too in time report. Make sure that there is no gap in the sick letter! Your doctor will make you i. d. R. does not retroactively sign off sick. So: If your certificate ends on Wednesday, your follow-up test should be valid from Thursday and you should of course inform your employer about the extended absence from work.

If you have a bad feeling about how the disease phase has arrived at the employer, you can ask for a conversation on your return and clarify how best to make up for lost time and work. If the employer is very strict with regard to sick leave, you can also offer him an extension of the probationary period if necessary.

Sick in the probationary period? who is paying?

Did you get sick during the probationary period and did you sign off properly? This fulfills an important prerequisite for continued pay. But you will sick within the first four weeks, the employer does not have to pay any wages or salary, so he can cut wages. But no worry: your health insurance company jumps in and pay sickness benefit. As a rule, the certificate of incapacity for work must be submitted to the health insurance company within one week (§ 49, Art. 1, Abs. 5, Sozialgesetzbuch), otherwise the sick pay will be suspended.

If the illness lasts longer than the waiting period of 4 weeks, the employer then pays the salary for a maximum of six weeks. Different sickness periods based on the same cause count towards this period, If you are sick beyond the six weeks of sick pay, you are entitled to sickness benefit. As a rule, you will already receive a letter from your health insurance provider with information about what to do before the end of the period.

If you have any questions about the job, you can also exchange ideas in our ChroniquesDuVasteMonde Community!