Kópavogur proposes stricter checks on repeated sick leave
Monday 9th November 2026 on 19:31 in
Iceland
Kópavogur, a municipality in Iceland, is considering stricter medical certificate requirements for staff who take frequent short-term sick leave. Mayor Ásdís Kristjánsdóttir told mbl.is that there are indications sick leave entitlements may be misused, but said there is no solid evidence.
The proposals would require employees at the two highest levels of the Bradford scale to provide a certificate confirming they have seen a doctor. The scale considers both the number of sick days and how often an employee is absent.
Kristjánsdóttir estimates the measures would affect about 5 to 8 per cent of employees who are sick on average. She gave the example of an employee who reports sick for two days a month.
The municipality currently accepts some certificates without requiring employees to have seen a doctor. Under the proposed changes, it would request a new certificate if the document provided does not confirm that a doctor was consulted and when. If a sufficient certificate is not provided, an occupational physician would assess the employee’s fitness for work and whether the absences were justified. That assessment would inform decisions on sick pay, subject to legislation and collective agreements.
Kristjánsdóttir said the municipality would pay for any certificates it requests. She said sick leave among municipal staff costs about two billion krónur a year, and that the measures are intended to reduce absences and related costs.
She said the municipality also wants to better understand the reasons for frequent absences and determine whether staff need more support. A human resources memorandum notes that differences in sick leave between occupational groups may relate to the nature of the work, workload and shift work. Greater cooperation with Heilsuvernd was among the options under consideration.
The proposals were presented for discussion by the municipal council on November 5 and are intended to change procedures next year. No final decision has been made.