The Gatekeeper Improvement Act is an important legislation that applies to employers and entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. The purpose of this law is to promote the reintegration of sick employees and to prevent long-term absenteeism. In this article, we discuss what you, as an employer or entrepreneur, should pay attention to when complying with this law.
As an employer or entrepreneur, you have certain obligations when an employee becomes ill. For example, you are obliged to draw up an action plan for the reintegration together with the sick employee. This plan must be drawn up within six weeks of the first day of illness.
In addition, you must maintain regular contact with the sick employee and any occupational health service or company doctor. It is important to keep a close eye on the progress of recovery and reintegration.
Another important aspect of the Gatekeeper Improvement Act is keeping a reintegration file. Here you record all the steps and agreements surrounding the reintegration. This includes interview reports, medical information and action points.
It is essential to keep this file up to date, as it serves as evidence should a dispute arise in the future about reintegration efforts.
Another important part of the Gatekeeper Improvement Act is the obligation to continue to pay wages in case of illness. As an employer or entrepreneur, you are obliged to continue to pay the salary of a sick employee for a certain period of time.
This period is initially two years, but can be extended to a maximum of five years under certain conditions. It is important to be aware of the rules and conditions surrounding continued payment of wages in the event of illness, in order to prevent financial risks.
Failure to comply with the Gatekeeper Improvement Act can lead to sanctions. For example, the UWV can impose a wage penalty if it appears that, as an employer or entrepreneur, you have not done enough to reintegrate a sick employee.
In addition, failure to comply with the obligations under this Act may lead to additional costs, such as continuing to pay wages after the end of the statutory period.
As an employer or entrepreneur, it is important to be aware of the obligations and rules regarding absenteeism and reintegration. The Gatekeeper Improvement Act lays down these obligations and aims to promote the reintegration of sick employees.
By complying with this law, you not only prevent sanctions, but you also contribute to the well-being and health of your employees. So make sure you are well aware of the rules and take responsibility as an employer or entrepreneur.
