Covid-19 frequently asked questions

Initiatives for private-sector firms

What does the recent agreement reached by the government, employer organisations and unions mean for me?

If the firm you work for was planning to terminate at least 30% of its employees, or more than 50 people, the government’s agreement with employer organisations and unions may affect you. If your employer:

• decides not to terminate employees due to its financial situation
• tells you not to go to work

Your firm can receive public funding for up to three months (9 March-9 June) that it can use to pay:

• up to 75% of your monthly pay if you are a salaried worker (up to  a maximum of kr. 23.000/month), provided your employer pays the remaining 25%
• 90% of your monthly pay if you are paid by the hour (up to kr. 26.000/month for full-time employees).

You must take five days off during this period in the form of earned days off, earned overtime or days off you expect to earn. If you do not have any time off available to you, either earned or expected, you must take unpaid days off.

Please note that if your employer is reimbursed for your pay, you may not be asked to work from home during this period. If you are laid off and your employer asks you to work, your employer must pay you your normal wages and does not qualify for reimbursement.

If you were terminated before 9 March, you do not qualify. The wage-reimbursement agreement applies only to employees who are laid off, not terminated.

I am self-employed. Is there any help for me?

Self-employed individuals and owner-operators are in a difficult position right now. Djøf applauds the government’s efforts to come up with a way to help these individuals.

The government has adopted a raft of initiatives (in Danish only), and more can be expected as the situation develops. We advise you to keep abreast of which initiatives are apply to you. 

I am working for a private-sector firm. Can my employer reduce my hours?

The government has relaxed the rules for job-sharing (in Danish only) in order to make it easier for firms to react to on-going developments and avoid terminating staff. This means, amongst other things, that you and your employer can agree to reduce your hours temporarily. During this period, you would qualify for supplementary unemployment benefits. 

Normally, Djøf advises against accepting job-sharing agreements, but we accept that, in the current situation, it may be necessary. If you accept a job-sharing agreement, we recommend that, in the event you wind up being terminated anyway, that it permit you to return to work, full-time, and at your previous wage, during your notice period.

Holiday and earned time off

Can a public-sector employer order me to take time off from one day to the next?

Our interpretation of the prime minister’s order to place public-sector employees on paid leave is that this will not affect employees’ days off or their earned time off. However, in a situation in which you are receiving your normal wages, you will be expected to work, if your employer asks you.

Can a private-sector employer order me to take time off from one day to the next?

Yes, in a ‘force majeure’ situation, you can be told to take time off with less than the normal month’s notice, if the situation affects the firm’s ability to function. The current situation is considered a force-majeure situation. In order to be ordered on holiday, you must have days off remaining. You cannot be required to use days off if your employer has already approved a request to bank the days for use next year.

Can a private-sector employer require me to used my earned time off?

Yes.

I was on holiday when everyone was laid off. Can I choose to end my holiday so I can be laid off instead?

No, you must take all the holiday days you requested. If you fall ill, you can, in certain situations, get make-up holiday days.

I was prevented from going on holiday as planned. Can I cancel the request to take days off?

Normally, it is up to your employer to cancel a request to take days off.

Working at home and home hours

What is required of me when I have been asked to work at home?

If you have been asked to work at home, you are expected to perform your normal tasks as best as the situation allows. 

“As best as the situation allows” means performing the tasks that you can perform from your home, and as your employer requires. You are expected to be available to work even if you do not have any tasks to perform at a given time. 

Your employer is responsible for providing you with the equipment you need in order to be able to do your job at home.

May I take care of children while I am working at home?

In general, you are responsible for having your child taken care of while you work. Given the suddenness and the severity of the current situation, most employers can be expected to show a measure of flexibility. 

We recommend that you find out when it is most convenient for you to work, and that you speak with your manager about what he/she expects. It may be of no consequence when you work. If your childcare situation makes it impossible for you to live up to your employer’s expectations, you can be asked to take paid days off, use earned time off or something similar.

I am in a “vulnerable” group, and am concerned that I will be infected at work. What should I do?

National health authority Sundhedsstyrelsen defines “vulnerable” as individuals over 80, or those with a chronic illness who are mildly or severely ill. If you are in group that is considered vulnerable, and you are uneasy about going to work, you should consult with your doctor. If your doctor determines that going to work poses a risk, you will be asked to contact your employer to come up with a way to eliminate the risk, such as working at home or changing your job function to reduce the amount of contact you have with the public. 

If your employer cannot provide you with a safe workplace, and if you are in a group that is considered vulnerable, you are permitted, by law, to remain home. It is your right not to be exposed to health hazards at work. If your employer does not agree that you would be putting your health at risk by going to work, your wages can be withheld. In certain cases, you can be terminated, with or without notice. 

Travel

I am on holiday, but there are no return flights and I cannot return home. What do I do?

It is your own responsibility to get yourself home from a holiday. If you find yourself in this situation, you should contact your employer and explain that you are making every effort to return home. Your employer is allowed to dock your pay if you don’t show up at work, but you can also agree to use paid days off or earned time off while you are unable to come to work. 

What should I do if I am scheduled to go on business travel soon, or am currently away on business travel?

As a general rule, you can only refuse to go on business travel if your destination is classified by the foreign ministry as ‘orange’ (only essential travel advised) or ‘red’ (no travel advised). A case-by-case assessment of all travel should be made based on the health and safety risks involved. 

It is your employer’s responsibility if you are quarantined by foreign authorities while travelling on business, or are in any other way prevented from returning home. That means that your employer must pay you your full wages and compensate all reasonable expenses incurred as a result of your quarantine. Your employer is also required to pay your full wages if you are placed in quarantine in Denmark upon returning from business travel. 

Students

I’m a student with a part-time job that relates to my studies, and have been told not to go to work. Will I get paid?

The rule is that you should get paid if you’ve been told not to go to work. You should talk with your boss about whether it is possible for you to work from home. 

Can my employer force me to work?

It depends on whether you work in the public or private sector. 

Public-sector employers cannot force you to work unless you are deemed to have a critical job function. 

Private-sector employers can force you to work. The government has no authority to force private-sector employers to tell employees to stay home, but that can change. You should try to keep abreast of developments. 

Do I get paid for any shifts I am scheduled to work that get cancelled?

As a rule, you have the right to be paid if a shift you were scheduled to work gets cancelled, but your specific situation will depend on your contract. If you are uncertain of whether this applies to you, you can contact us on: 33 95 97 00. 

Can I lose my job if I travel abroad on holiday?

The foreign ministry currently advises against all travel abroad. If you travel abroad anyway, and must quarantine yourself upon returning home, or are otherwise prevented from returning to work, you can be terminated, with or without notice. 

What rights do I have if I am quarantined or told to stay at home?

If you are quarantined by a medical professional after coming into contact with someone who has contracted Covid-19, you will have the right to paid sick leave. If the Funktionærloven (salaried employees act) applies to you, you have the right to full pay while you are in quarantine. 

You do not need to be sick in order for your employer to tell you to stay home. Your rights depend on your contract and your specific situation. 

What does the agreement reached by the government, employer organisations and unions mean for me if my part-time job is with a private-sector firm?

If the firm you work for was planning on terminating 30% of its employees, or more than 50 people, the government’s agreement with employer organisations and unions may affect you. Your firm can receive public funding for up to three months (9 March-9 June) that it can use to pay:

• up 75% of your monthly pay if you are a salaried worker (up to a maximum of kr 23,000/month), provided your employer pays the remaining 25%
• 90% of your monthly pay if you are paid by the hour (up to kr 26,000/month for full-time employees)

Many of Djøf’s student members are paid by the hour. Your contract indicates whether you are salaried or paid by the hour. 

You must take five days off during this period, in the form of earned days off, earned overtime or days off you expect to earn. If you do not have any time off available to you, either earned or expected, you must take unpaid days off. 

In order for your employer to qualify for reimbursement, you must have been laid off and not asked to work at home, and your employer must not terminate any employees due to its financial situation.

We recommend that you talk to your employer to discuss whether the company has a plan. If you work for a small company, or are the only member of Djøf working there, it may be possible for you to work from home without losing any hours. You could also be able to help your employer determine which of the government’s initiatives apply in its situation.

Travel insurance for students

The section below applies to the travel insurance available to students as a supplement to the homeowner’s / renter’s insurance we offer through Codan. 

I booked a trip yesterday. Is it too late to buy cancellation cover?

Yes. Cancellation cover must be bought before booking the trip. 

What do I do if I need to cancel my trip? 

If you need to cancel your trip, conctact Codan on 33 53 33 23, or online.

If you are already abroad, contact SOS International on +45 70 10 50 50.

I have been quarantined while travelling. How am I covered?

If you are abroad and a doctor places you in quarantine after diagnosing you with an illness, you can receive compensation for a “ruined holiday”. 

If you are not sick and have been quarantined as a precaution, you can only receive compensation for costs you incur as a result of being quarantined, including: food, extra lodging costs and return airfare, if you cannot use your original ticket. 

Is it okay to book a summer holiday?

You should be careful booking trips to countries or areas that the foreign ministry currently advises against travelling to. If the advise against traveling still applies at the time of departure, your cancellation coverage will not apply.

We only cover trips ordered before the foreign ministry advised against traveling. 

I booked a trip and I have a Studieforsikring policy. Is it okay to travel?

Your policy covers you in all areas the foreign ministry does not advise against travelling to. You will be covered according to the terms of your policy. 

 

In order to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, Djøf’s offices in Copenhagen are closed. We hope to reopen on 14 April. All meetings, courses and other events have been postponed indefinitely.

We will contact you if something relevant for you comes up or if a meeting in your network group is scheduled.