Sickness benefit. An explanation of the safety net rule.

Employers Sickness Absence continue to pay the wages of employees who are on Sickness Absence . In some cases, the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency) provides benefits. The Ziektewet then Ziektewet as a 'safety net'. Read more about the safety net scheme below.

When does the safety net rule apply?

The safety net rule applies to employers with salaried employees in the following three situations:

1. The employee is sick due to pregnancy or childbirth
The insurance physician of the UWV determines whether there is illness due to pregnancy or childbirth. The company doctor shall give a recommendation on this to the employee. This advice may only be shared with the employer with the employee's consent.

2. Employee has had surgery and is recovering from organ donation surgery
The UWV insurance physician determines whether there is illness due to organ donation. The company doctor gives a recommendation on this to the employee. This advice may only be shared with the employer with the employee's consent.

3. The employee has a no-risk policy
The employee may have a 'no-risk policy' from a previous benefit situation or employment status. The no-risk policy is an arrangement for an employer who hires an employee with an illness or disability. The employer may ask the employee from two months after starting employment whether the employee has a no-risk policy. The employer may not ask about the underlying reason for the no-risk policy.

Less financial risk and burden

The safety net scheme means less financial risk and burden through reimbursement of wages paid up to a statutory maximum during the sickness period. There is no risk of higher employer contributions (WIA) in the event of long-term disability. Applying for the safety net scheme The employer reports the employee to the UWV using the "Application for sickness benefit" form. Go to www.uwv.nl for the form. The UWV does the assessment and contacts the employee regarding the assessment of the Vangnet notification. The UWV then issues a decision.