Sickness absence

If you cannot go to work because you are sick, we call this sickness absence in the Netherlands. You must report sick to your employer immediately. 

What is sickness absence? 

If you cannot work because you are sick, we call this sickness absence. You must report sick to your employer immediately. You usually continue to receive your wages during sickness absence. How much you get and for how long depends on your contract. You do not need to work but you must make sure your employer can still contact you. In some cases, you do not get paid for the first day or first two days you are sick. These are 'waiting days' and must be mentioned in your contract or CAO.  

In an emergency, call 112 

If someone is in a life-threatening situation, call 112 immediately. You can always reach this emergency number. Call it if you need an ambulance, the police or the fire brigade. 

Health insurance is compulsory 

When you are in the Netherlands, you must have health insurance. You take out this insurance to pay for medical expenses, such as medicines, doctor’s consultations and hospital treatment. If do not have it, you have to pay all your medical expenses yourself. 

See a GP 

If you are sick, you have to see a general practitioner (GP) first. The GP will assess your symptoms and treat you. If necessary, the GP will refer you to a specialist at a hospital. If your GP’s practice is closed, call the GP out-of-hours service. They will tell you what to do. 

Report sick to your employer 

If you are sick, you must tell your employer immediately. You do not need to tell your employer exactly what your symptoms are, and your employer must not ask you. However, your employer can ask you about when you think you will be able to work again. Your employer can also ask a company doctor to visit you. Make sure your employer and the company doctor can contact you. If you become sick while you are on holiday, you must report sick within 24 hours. 

Work on your recovery 

Do what you can to get better. Follow the advice you are given by your doctor and the company doctor, and take part in discussions about your return to work. 

What happens while you are on sick leave 

In most cases, your wages will continue to be paid while you are on sick leave. Your employer will pay at least 70% of your wages for the rest of your contract. Your employer will do this for a maximum of two years. Your contract or CAO might contain different arrangements, such as a higher percentage. 

Action plan 

You and the company doctor will assess what tasks you can still do and what can be done to help you return to work. You and your employer will come up with a plan within eight weeks after you report sick. This plan sets out what can be done to help you return to work. You will discuss the plan frequently and change it as necessary. 

If you are sick for a long time 

Have you been on sick leave for two years and are you still sick? In that case, your employer will usually stop paying your wages. You can then apply for WIA benefit from UWV. You and your employer will write a report about what each of you has done to help you return to work. You need this report for your benefit claim. 

If you do not cooperate 

If you do not do what you have agreed, such as going to the company doctor or taking on work that you are able to do, your employer can stop your wages temporarily. In other words, your wages can be withheld. You will not get any more wages until you cooperate in your recovery and your return to work. 

Sick leave and temporary employment clause  

If you have an agency contract with a temporary employment clause and you become sick, your contract can end immediately. If you come under the ABU CAO or NBBU CAO, your contract will continue when you are sick. Your employer must then continue to pay your wages while you are sick.