PEOPLE who are laid off often begin sick leave immediately after registration at the Labour Office. Although the labour offices say that many of these people are genuinely sick, the high number suggests a deliberate abuse of existing legislation in order to receive benefits for a longer period of time, the private news agency SITA wrote.
According to Robert Kováč, director of the employment services department with the state office of labour in Banská Bystrica, 186 of the 495 unemployed people registered in April immediately went on sick leave.
Kováč acknowledged that losing a job was stressful and that this could lead to sickness. He noted, however, that the newly unemployed might also be taking advantage of the 42-hour protective period after the termination of their employment to declare illness. By doing so, they receive sickness benefits and postpone the start of the six-month period during which they are entitled to unemployment benefits.
Compiled by Martina Pisárová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
