Unfortunately, it can happen that an employer employs a sick employee whose employment ends and where it is already clear that full return to his own work is not possible, before the employment ends. The employee then leaves sick. But what does it actually mean when an employee leaves sick, and what does the employer have to do? When an employee leaves employment on sick leave, two things intertwine, namely absenteeism supervision during employment and absenteeism supervision when employment ends.
Self-insured or not
The first thing you should ask yourself when an employee leaves your employ on sick leave is whether you are self-insurer for the Sickness Benefits Act (ERD ZW). If you are self-insurer for the Sickness Benefits Act, this means that you pay the Sickness Benefits Act benefits of your (former) employees who are entitled to them. Even if the employment has ended. If you are not self-insurer, the support of the sick (ex-)employee goes through the UWV. As an employer, you pay an annual premium for this.
No self-insurer
What should the employer do when reporting sick out and he is not self-insured?
An employer is obliged to report to the UWV that an employee leaves employment sick. If you are not self-insurer, the responsibility for further reintegration lies with the UWV. A consequence of this is that you lose control over the file. In some cases, the employer must also submit a reintegration report (RIV) if the employee leaves your employ on sick leave. Whether this is actually necessary depends on how long the employee remained in service after reporting sick:
- If the employee remained employed for less than 6 weeks after reporting sick, as an employer you do not have to make a reintegration report.
- If the employee remained employed for between 6 and 10 weeks after reporting sick, then as an employer you must provide an abbreviated reintegration report.
- You must provide a complete reintegration report if the employee remained employed for 10 weeks or more after reporting sick.
Do self-insurer
What should I do as an employer if I report sick from work and you are self-insured?
- First, an employer is obliged to report to the UWV that an employee leaves your employment sick, so even if you are self-insured. The difference is that you do not have to make a reintegration report.
- In addition, as an employer, you must report this sick leave file to the party/department that performs sick leave counseling for you. The advantage of paraDIGMA groep is that we offer guidance within and outside of current employment. Coordination with interventions already in place can run smoothly this way.
