Workplace accommodation and rehabilitation – the employer's responsibility 2026

Workplace adaptation is about both preventing sick leave and enabling an employee with reduced work capacity to continue or return to work. The employer needs to have routines, individual assessments, and effective follow-up.

Routines before a case arises

AFS 2023:2 requires the employer to have routines for receiving information about the need for workplace adaptation. The routine must specify who receives the information, what that person should do, and how the information is handled. For ten or more employees, the routines must be in writing.

Assess, implement, and follow up

Once a need is identified, the employer must as soon as possible assess how the workplace adaptation should be designed, implement it, follow up on whether it works, and adjust it if necessary. Examples include adapted tasks, working hours, work equipment, or changes to the distribution of work.

Return-to-work plan – day 30 if 60 days are expected

The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) specifies that the employer must create a return-to-work plan if the employee is expected to be on sick leave for at least 60 days. The plan should normally be ready by day 30 of the sick leave period at the latest. There are exceptions, for example, if a return is expected to occur without special measures, but that decision needs to be documented.

Privacy and medical information

The focus should be on work capacity, limitations, and potential workplace adaptations – not on the employer collecting more medical information than necessary. Collaboration with the employee and, if needed, occupational health services is key.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting for full-time sick leave before considering workplace adaptation.
• Lacking known routines for how needs are reported.
• Writing a plan but failing to follow up on the measures.
• Requiring detailed diagnostic information instead of focusing on work capacity.
• Missing day 30 when sick leave is expected to last at least 60 days.

Frequently asked questions

When must a return-to-work plan be created?

When the employee is expected to be on sick leave for at least 60 days, the plan should normally be ready by day 30 of the sick leave period at the latest.

Is workplace adaptation the same as medical rehabilitation?

No. Workplace adaptation concerns the work environment and the design of the work itself. Medical rehabilitation is handled by the healthcare system, although the efforts may need to be coordinated.

Must small employers have routines?

Yes, routines are necessary. The requirement that routines be in writing applies to employers with ten or more employees.

Should the employee participate?

Yes. AFS 2023:2 states that the concerned employee shall be given the opportunity to participate in the assessment, design, and follow-up.

Sources and further reading

• Swedish Work Environment Authority – Guidance on workplace adaptation
• Swedish Social Insurance Agency – Return-to-work plan

Last updated: October 5, 2026. This article provides general information and does not replace a business-specific work environment assessment.