Continued Salary Payment for Illness on Temporary Contract in Utrecht
In Utrecht, with its vibrant job market featuring many temporary positions in sectors like education and logistics, as an employee on a temporary contract, you have the right to continued salary payment during illness, but this is limited to the duration of your agreement. Your employer must continue paying your salary during the contract period, after which you may apply for a Sickness Benefits Act allowance from the UWV. This article, tailored for residents of Utrecht, explains how this works under Dutch employment law, with tips for local support.
What Does Continued Salary Payment for Illness Mean for Temporary Contracts?
Continued salary payment during illness requires your employer to keep paying your salary if you are unable to work due to illness. For a temporary contract in Utrecht, this applies only until the end of the contract term, unlike permanent positions. Once the contract expires while you are still recovering, you can claim a benefit through the UWV, provided you meet the criteria. This protects flexible workers in the Utrecht area, where temporary roles are common, but offers less security than indefinite contracts.
The law encourages recovery and reintegration without automatically extending a temporary contract due to illness. The contract runs until its end date. If it expires during your illness, apply promptly for a Sickness Benefits Act allowance from the UWV. For advice in Utrecht, contact the Legal Aid Office Utrecht. This builds on information about Sickness Benefits for flexible workers in the region.
Legal Foundations
The provisions on continued salary payment during illness are outlined in the Dutch Civil Code (DCC), Book 7. Key is Article 7:629 DCC, which mandates payment for up to 104 weeks, unless the contract ends earlier. For temporary contracts (Article 7:668a DCC), the contract does not end prematurely due to illness but on the specified date, without converting to a permanent one.
After the contract ends, you fall back on the Sickness Benefits Act, governed by that act and related laws. Article 19 of the Sickness Benefits Act provides entitlement to benefits for temporary employees beyond the wage continuation phase. In the first two years, the employer pays at least 70% of your salary (often 100% in the first year under a collective labor agreement), and the Sickness Benefits Act allowance is also 70% of your daily wage, capped at €274.44 (2023). For Utrecht residents with temporary jobs, check wage-related conditions, such as days worked in the previous year. For temporary agency work, additional collective labor agreement rules from ABU or NBBU apply.
Your Rights and Obligations Regarding Continued Salary Payment
Rights as an Employee in Utrecht
If you are ill on a temporary contract in the Utrecht area, you can expect:
- Ongoing salary payment until the contract ends (at least 70%, often higher under a collective labor agreement).
- Protection against dismissal during illness, except in urgent cases (Article 7:670 DCC).
- Reintegration support from your employer, including an action plan (PVA) within 8 weeks of reporting sick.
- Post-contract: Sickness Benefits Act allowance if you remain unfit for work and have completed the waiting period (typically 2 days); contact the Legal Aid Office Utrecht for help with the application.
Obligations as an Employee
- Report your illness to your employer immediately (within 2 days).
- Cooperate with reintegration efforts, such as consultations with the occupational health service or returning to work.
- After contract expiration, submit a Sickness Benefits Act application to the UWV within 2 weeks.
- Avoid activities that could hinder your recovery.
Employers in Utrecht must continue salary payments and inform the occupational health service, but the short duration of temporary contracts increases reintegration pressure. In disputes, you can approach the Utrecht District Court.
Practical Examples from Utrecht
Example: You are on a 6-month temporary contract at a logistics company in Utrecht and become ill with a back injury after 3 months. Your employer pays 100% of your salary (as per the collective labor agreement) until the end. After 6 months, still ill, you apply for Sickness Benefits from the UWV: 70% of your daily wage, around €50 based on a €2,000 gross monthly salary. This highlights the need for quick action to ensure a smooth transition.
Another case: On a call-off contract in Utrecht's hospitality sector, you report illness; salary for scheduled shifts is paid. Without extension, you may receive Sickness Benefits if you worked sufficient hours in the previous year. Disputes often arise regarding payment duration for chained contracts (maximum 3, Article 7:668a(2) DCC), especially in Utrecht's flexible market.
Comparison: Temporary vs. Permanent Contract
For clarification, an overview:
| Aspect | Temporary Contract | Permanent Contract |
|---|---|---|
| Salary Continuation | Only until contract end (up to 104 weeks) | Full 104 weeks |
| After Contract End | Sickness Benefits Act allowance via UWV | No end; salary continues |
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.