9(23)
3
The SI and the rehabilitation chain
The public SI compensates all employed (and previously employed if
registered at the Public Employment Services) unable to perform their
regular job due to temporary sickness. The employer is responsible for
financing the first 14 days of the sickness period, with a 1-day waiting
period. The replacement ratio is 80% up to a benefit cap, €2,563 per
month, during the first year. After that, the compensation is reduced to
75% during the remaining period up 2.5 years, which is the maximum
entitlement period
The rehabilitation chain, despite what the name suggests, does not contain
rehabilitation measures. Instead it consists of time-restricted assessments
of the individual’s work ability and right to benefits. The purpose of the
model is to create incentives among all actors to become more active early
in their sick leave. During the first 90 days of the sick spell, the working
capacity is assessed against the existing job, possibly with some
modifications. Between the 91st and 180th days, if the old job is not an
option, the worker is expected to try to find another job with the employer.
Alternatively, the worker can take leave of absence for up to 6 months to
try out another job with another employer. From the 181st day, working
capacity and thus the right to benefits are evaluated against all the jobs on
the regular labour market. Exceptions from this assessment could be made,
for instance if the individual is undergoing rehabilitation and is expected to
resume work within 12 months. If the individual is assessed as having
remaining working capacity, he or she is expected to resume work with his
or her employer.
Besides the public SI, most workers qualify for
additional benefits through agreements between the labour unions and the
workers’ confederations. The limit to the total compensation is usually 90%
of the foregoing income, but varies with the specific agreement.
An important point to make is that the different steps in the rehabilitation
chain were already in use by the SI administration. What the rehabilitation
chain added was the time limits specifying when at the latest in the sick
spells the different assessments had to be executed. Note also that the
time limits are relevant only for employed. The working capacity among the
unemployed should be evaluated against the regular labour market from
day 2 of the sick spell (the first day being uncompensated).
2
Some exceptions are stipulated granting the sick-reported 80% of their previous
income up to 2.5 years.
