De Unie, in your interest
To the content

There is a lot to deal with when you are dealing with disability and illness. From a benefit application to obligations regarding your reintegration. It is easy to lose overview in the tangle of rules, laws and authorities. Risky, because before you know it, you are missing out on what you are entitled to.

What should I pay attention to?
It always starts with your sick report. Does it appear that you stay sick longer than usual? Then take a look at the Gatekeeper Improvement Act: it describes exactly what the first two years of your illness and reintegration look like. From your rights and obligations to the moments when your employer or company doctor has to do something.

Have you been ill for two years and not fully recovered, despite your reintegration efforts? In that case, an insurance doctor and an occupational expert will jointly assess whether you are incapacitated for work. Can you still do certain work? And if so, how much or how long? The UWV then compares the hourly wage that you can now earn with your old hourly wage. Are you losing at least 35 percent? Then you are (partially) incapacitated for work.

What does this mean for me?
If you are ill for a long time, you have to reintegrate. You retain the right to at least 70 percent of your wages for the first two years. Some collective labor agreements and employment contracts stipulate that you will receive more. During the reintegration you must adhere to the rules and agreements. If you do not cooperate, your employer can suspend or withhold your wages – and in extreme cases even dismiss you. Have you been ill for two years, is it unlikely that you will recover within six months and are you unable to do any other work? Then your employer can submit a dismissal application for you to the UWV.

If you can still (partly) work, you may have to look for another job or another employer, because you can no longer perform your old position. It is also possible that you can no longer work at all. In both cases you may be eligible for a disability benefit from the UWV.

We do this for you

If you are short-term, long-term sick or incapacitated for work, there are all kinds of rights and obligations that you must take into account. De Unie helps you with clear information, practical advice and solution-oriented guidance. And with useful sample letters.  This way you have one less worry and you can focus on the most important thing: your health.

What do you get as a member?

Light

  • Updates about your work, collective labor agreement & industry
  • Light help with work, benefits & income
  • Newsletter

Complete/additional

  • Updates about your work, collective labor agreement & industry
  • Complete help with work, benefits & income
  • Newsletter
  • Handy calculation tools and sample letters
  • Legal advice and support
  • Insight into your pension
  • Help and advice with your benefit
  • Participation in your terms of employment

Light

  • Updates about your work, collective labor agreement & industry
  • Light help with work, benefits & income
  • Newsletter

Complete/additional

  • Updates about your work, collective labor agreement & industry
  • Complete help with work, benefits & income
  • Newsletter
  • Handy calculation tools and sample letters
  • Legal advice and support
  • Insight into your pension
  • Help and advice with your benefit
  • Participation in your terms of employment

More on this topic:

Become a full member

Become a light member