Managing Norwegian Sick Leave Processes in Simployer One

Managing Norwegian Sick Leave Processes in Simployer One

Simployer helps you manage sick leave in a structured, compliant way by combining automated workflows with the Norwegian NAV integration. This article explains how the sick leave process works from start to finish.

How a Sick Leave Process Starts

A sick leave process is initiated in one of two ways:

• Manually – a manager or HR administrator registers the sick leave directly in the system
• Automatically – through the NAV integration, when a digital sick note is received from NAV

Once a sick leave is registered, a workflow can automatically be triggered based on the type of absence. Workflow templates can be set up under Workflow -> Manage Templates.

Sick Leave Workflow Templates

Simployer provides two expert-built workflow templates designed to ensure compliance with Norwegian regulations:

• Short-term sick leave template – for absences that are expected to be brief
• Long-term sick leave template – for absences that extend beyond the short-term period and trigger additional legal obligations

These templates include all recommended tasks, with detailed descriptions of what needs to be done and where.

Using Your Own Templates

You are not limited to the expert templates. You can:

• Create a template from scratch to match your organisation's specific processes
• Duplicate an expert template and make your own adjustments while keeping the recommended structure as a starting point

How Workflow Tasks Work

When a workflow is triggered, all task assignees receive a notification. Their tasks appear:

• On their personal profile
• In their Action Hub

Each task in the expert templates includes a detailed description to guide the assignee through what is required and where to complete it.

Task Features

• Skipping tasks. If a task is not relevant for a particular sick leave case, it can be skipped without affecting the rest of the workflow.
• Comments.Task assignees can leave comments on their tasks. Visibility of comments works as follows:
  • Anyone with permission to view workflows (owners, admins, the manager) can see comments.
  • Managers can see comments on all tasks related to their direct reports' sick leave workflows.
  • Employees can only see comments on their own assigned tasks, not on tasks completed by others, even if those tasks relate to their own sick leave process.
• Editing workflows. Workflows can be adjusted at any point if circumstances change. For example, if the sick leave is extended or if the employee returns to work earlier than expected.

Long-Term Sick Leave: Follow-Up Plan (Oppfølgingsplan)

For long-term sick leave, Norwegian law requires managers to create and submit a follow-up plan (oppfølgingsplan). The long-term sick leave template includes specific tasks to guide managers through this process. 

Follow up plans might be submitted for shorter sick leave periods too depending on the case. 

Creating and Submitting the Plan

Each relevant task includes a direct link to the NAV portal, allowing the manager to navigate there with a single click and begin working on the plan immediately.

The follow-up plan must be submitted via the NAV portal, where all involved parties sign it electronically (NAV supports e-signing).

Fetching the Plan Back into Simployer

If the NAV integration for follow-up plans is activated, Simployer will automatically retrieve the completed and signed document once it has been submitted. The plan is then stored under shared documents, where it is accessible to both the manager and the employee – closing the loop on the process.

If multiple follow-up plans are submitted over the course of a sick leave period for the same employee, each plan will be fetched into Simployer and stored individually, giving you a complete record of all plans submitted.

Summary of the End-to-End Process

1. Sick leave is registered (manually or via NAV integration)
2. The relevant workflow template is triggered
3. Task assignees are notified and can view tasks in their Action Hub
4. Tasks are completed, skipped, or commented on as needed
5. For long-term sick leave, the manager completes and submits the follow-up plan via NAV
6. The signed plan is automatically fetched back into Simployer and shared with the relevant parties