Reintegrating after sick leave

Reintegrating after sick leave means going back to work after you have been sick. If you are partially or completely unable to work, your employer and UWV will help you gradually return to work. 

How reintegrating after sick leave works 

You look at your options with your employer and the company doctor. In some cases you can return to your old work. In other cases, your work may be adapted or you might be given a different role. This is called ‘first-track reintegration’. If you are no longer able to work for your employer, you have to start looking for suitable work with another employer. This is called ‘second-track reintegration’. 

Analysis and action plan

If you are sick, you will have an appointment with the company doctor or occupational health and safety service in your sixth week of sick leave. They will analyse your situation and what it means for your work. 

In the following two weeks, you and your employer create an action plan. In this plan you agree what can be done to help you return to work on a full-time or part-time basis. You discuss this plan regularly and make changes where necessary. 

Reintegration report 

All the steps and agreements are set out in a reintegration report. You will need this report if you claim WIA benefit at the end of your second year of sick leave. The report includes the analysis, the action plan and evaluations. 

If you cannot return to your old job 

If you cannot do your old job any more, there are two options: 

• You start working in a different role for your existing employer. 
• You look for work at a different employer.