Finnish social security agency rejects sick leave for truck driver despite doctors’ assessments of incapacity

Three doctors concluded that a Finnish truck driver suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts was unfit for work, but the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) ruled she was capable of driving, Yle reports.

The driver, identified only as Leena, developed severe insomnia, memory problems, and suicidal ideation after years of working in the transport industry. Three separate medical assessments declared her unfit for her job, particularly due to the precision and quick reaction times required for operating heavy combination vehicles.

One physician explicitly stated in a medical report to Kela that driving “is absolutely not suitable for a patient with suicidal thoughts.” However, Kela rejected Leena’s sick leave application, determining she remained capable of work. The agency did not address the issue of suicidal ideation in its decision.

Kela processes around 600,000 sick leave applications annually, rejecting fewer than five percent on the grounds that the applicant does not meet the legal definition of work incapacity. In Leena’s case, one rejection cited that her symptoms had not required “regular targeted treatment.”

Leena, who has an autism spectrum diagnosis, described the transport industry’s irregular hours, poorly maintained equipment, and legal violations as particularly distressing. She reported experiencing sexual harassment and persistent questioning of her professional competence. Sleep deprivation led to memory lapses, forcing her to rely on written notes for basic tasks, while exhaustion often resulted in breakdowns during work.

After resigning in late 2023, Leena was granted sick leave for just over a month following an appeal—despite her doctors’ consistent assessments. Kela maintained she was only unfit for work from late November to early January, though her condition remained unchanged.

Leena did not use her real name in the report to protect her medical privacy. Yle reviewed relevant documents for the story.