Getting ill is never pleasant, but being ill abroad under a different employment system can cause unnecessary stress. In Spain we're used to going to the health centre, seeing the GP and leaving with a 'sick note'.
In the Netherlands it doesn't work like that. If you ask your Dutch doctor ( Huisarts ) for a note for your boss, they will (kindly) laugh and tell you they have no authority to issue one. So you don't make mistakes that put your salary or your job at risk, here is the definitive guide to being ill in the Netherlands.
What to do if you wake up ill: the 'Ziekmelden' procedure
The first step is communication. In the Netherlands, sick leave starts with your word, but there is a strict protocol you must follow to the letter.
1. Inform your employer immediately
You must inform your manager or the HR department (or your temporary employment agency if you work through one) as soon as possible. Most companies require you to report sick before 9:00 AM on the first day of illness.
What do you have to say? Only that you are ill and cannot come to work.
What do you NOT have to say? Legally, you are not obliged to disclose your diagnosis . You don't have to say whether you have flu, a broken leg or stress. Your medical privacy is protected by law.
2. Be reachable
From the moment you report sick ( ziekmelden ), you must be available at home or wherever you are recovering. The company or the occupational health service may call you to check on your condition or arrange the next steps.
How much do you get paid on sick leave? The Ziektewet system
Now the million-dollar question: 'Will I still get paid?' The short answer is yes, with some caveats.
The 70% rule
By law, your employer must pay you at least 70% of your last salary during the first two years of illness. However, most collective labour agreements ( CAO ) improve on this, going up to 90% or even 100% during the first year .
'Wachtdagen' (waiting days)
Be careful here. Many contracts include wachtdagen: the first 1 or 2 days of sick leave are unpaid. So if you fall ill on a Monday and return on Wednesday, you may not be paid for those days. Check your contract for these 'waiting days'.
The Arbo-arts: the 'judge' of your occupational health
Since your GP cannot sign you off sick, who decides whether you are really fit to work? This is where the Arbo-arts (company doctor) comes in.
Who are they? An independent doctor hired by the company (or the occupational health service) to assess your ability to work.
Is it mandatory to attend? YES. If the Arbo-arts invites you to a check-up, you are legally obliged to attend. If you don't go without a serious justified reason, the company has the right to stop paying your salary immediately.
What do they decide? They assess whether you can do light duties, work from home or really need complete rest. Their assessment is what counts for the payment of your benefit.
Can I be dismissed for being ill?
This is the biggest concern of Spanish workers in the Netherlands.
Two years of protection
With a permanent contract ( vast contract ), dismissal due to illness is prohibited during the first two years of sick leave. The company must make an effort to help you return to work.
Temporary employment agencies (Phase A or Phase 1-2)
If you work through an employment agency and your contract contains the so-called agency clause ( uitzendbeding ), the situation changes. In many cases, when you fall ill, your employment contract with the agency ends automatically and you receive sickness benefit directly from the UWV (the government agency). You are not left unprotected, but you no longer have a connection with the company where you worked.
Frequently Asked Questions about illness in the Netherlands (FAQ)
Can my GP (Huisarts) give me a sick note?
No. Doctors in the Netherlands have a code of conduct that prohibits them from issuing medical certificates for work. Their job is to treat you, not to manage your employment relationship. That is what the Arbo-arts is for.
Can I travel to Spain while on sick leave?
Don't do it without permission. If you are on sick leave and want to travel to your home country to recover with your family, you must ask the Arbo-arts or the UWV for explicit authorisation. If you leave on your own and miss a check-up you are invited to, you will lose your benefit and could be dismissed.
What happens if I fall ill during my holidays?
If you are on holiday and fall ill, call your company immediately. If you follow the reporting protocol, those days will no longer count as holiday and will become sick days instead. That way you can get your holiday days back to enjoy when you are healthy.
Conclusion
The Dutch system is based on responsibility and on the role of the company doctor. If you are honest, follow the reporting protocols and attend your appointments with the Arbo-arts, you have nothing to fear. Your health and your salary are protected. This applies whether you want to work in the Netherlands or to any other aspect of life there.
Looking for an agency that is transparent, speaks plainly and supports you at every step of your adventure in the Netherlands? At International Job Challenge we make sure all our workers know their rights from minute one.
Take a look at our Job Offers in the Netherlands and apply today.
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