Rehabilitation options

Work trials are planned at the workplace as a co-operative effort between the rehabilitant and the employer. In the case of a work trial in your current work, it is important for occupational health care to participate in the planning.

If the work trial involves new work with a new employer, our rehabilitation partner’s coach also often joins the process with the rehabilitant and the employer.

When planning a work trial, it is important to agree on

• the goals of the work trial
• the tasks during the work trial
• working hours and monitoring
• whether the work trial is paid or unpaid
• the persons responsible at the workplace and in occupational health care.

A work trial can last anywhere from one to six months. The initial duration of work trials is most often two to three months, but they can be extended after a mid-term evaluation if warranted.

The minimum number of hours for a work trial is 20 hours per week. Daily working hours can vary between four and eight hours. The aim is to gradually increase the number of working hours during the work trial to full-time hours.

We recommend that you postpone any holidays you may have until after your work trial. Before the work trial begins, discuss with your rehabilitation specialist if you must take a holiday during your work trial. Rehabilitation benefits are not paid for holidays.

The rehabilitant and the employer and/or rehabilitation partner together draw up a job coaching programme which lays down

• the job description targeted through job coaching and the competence the job requires
• the work tasks during the coaching
• the working hours and monitoring
• whether the coaching is paid or unpaid
• the persons responsible at the workplace.

The contents, duration and working hours of job coaching are planned individually. The goal is to achieve a sufficient skill level.

The rehabilitation allowance or cash rehabilitation benefit (and rehabilitation increment) granted as the source of income during an unpaid work trial or job coaching is paid to you. Varma will take out accident insurance for you in case of an occupational accident during your work trial or job coaching period.

In the case of a paid work trial or job coaching, the employer will pay your salary and Varma will pay the employer the rehabilitation allowance during your work trial or job coaching period upon application by the employer. The employer pays the salary based on full-time work even though the rehabilitant works part-time.

If the rehabilitation allowance exceeds the salary paid by the employer, the difference between the rehabilitation allowance and the salary will be paid to the rehabilitant.

The employer, occupational health care and a possible rehabilitation partner monitor the planned progress of the work trial or job coaching. The rehabilitant, employer or occupational health care representative may contact Varma if any health or other challenges appear.

If the employment relationship is no longer valid during the work trial or job coaching and occupational health care cannot be used, the health care measures will be implemented as part of basic health care.

Occupational safety legislation and the guidelines and regulations laid down on the basis of such legislation apply during the work trial and job coaching period, as in normal employment. The employer and the employee are bound by the rights and obligations of the employment contract, but the nature of the work trial or job coaching is taken into consideration in the work to be carried out.

The rehabilitant must inform the employer of absences due sickness in accordance with the rules of the workplace. In the case of absences lasting longer than one week, Varma must be provided with a sick leave certificate.

The progress of your studies is monitored each term based on your transcript. Your studies must be full time, and they must advance in line with your study plan. Vocational studies are full time if they equal at least 4.5 competence points/study month. Studies in higher education institutions are full time if they equal at least 5 credits/study month.

Varma’s rehabilitation partners help in monitoring your studies.

First discuss your study plan, any changes required or any support you may need, with your school’s contact person.

Contact Varma or our rehabilitation partner if

• your studies don’t proceed as planned
• your studies are interrupted for more than a week due to illness or another reason
• your study plans change or
• you graduate earlier than planned.

If you are studying in an apprenticeship, remember to contact the apprenticeship office.

The changes can affect the payment of your rehabilitation benefit. We may also collect from you any unduly paid rehabilitation benefit.

After a long period of sick leave, we can support your return to work in the same entrepreneurial activities as before by means of a work trial for the self-employed. The aim of a work trial is a soft return to work.

Daily working hours can vary between four to eight hours and can be increased gradually during the trial work.

A work trial usually lasts from three to six months. We can support a work trial for a self-employed person also in cases where the person’s entrepreneurial activities are just beginning.

Job coaching can be used to start a new business or to develop an existing business. The contents and duration of the coaching are agreed on individually, and it generally consists of on-the-job learning and further education.

A business subsidy can be granted for the purpose of establishing a company or for changing entrepreneurial activities. The subsidy can be used, for instance, to purchase aids to help you perform your work or to acquire new tools. The subsidy is based on a needs assessment, and it must be accompanied by other forms of financing.

If you cannot continue performing your entrepreneurial activities for health-related reasons, you may be able to find a new profession through retraining. You can find out what your options are with the help of our rehabilitation partner.

In some situations, an apprenticeship for entrepreneurs, for instance, can give you the opportunity to develop your entrepreneurial activities to suit your health.