Absenteeism insurance

Definición

Absenteeism insurance covers an employer against the cost of continuing to pay wages to sick employees, a statutory obligation in the Netherlands lasting up to two years. Policies are structured as conventional cover (wages above a deductible period) or as a stop-loss arrangement, and many bundle absence-management and reintegration services. For SMEs with limited reserves it is a key risk-management tool.

Ejemplo

When a key employee is off sick for several months, the absenteeism insurer reimburses the employer's continued wage payments above the deductible.

Por qué es un riesgo para la empresa

The two-year wage-continuation obligation is one of the most significant employment cost risks for Dutch businesses, particularly SMEs where a single long-term absence can represent a material share of annual payroll. Businesses that self-insure this risk without adequate reserves can face cash-flow problems if several employees are absent simultaneously. Failing to meet reintegration obligations alongside the wage-continuation duty can also expose employers to sanctions from the UWV, including an extension of the pay obligation beyond two years.

Cómo gestionarlo

• Calculate the maximum two-year wage exposure for your workforce and compare it to your reserves; if there is a gap, insurance covers it.
• Choose a deductible period that matches your financial resilience: a longer own-risk period lowers premiums but increases your direct exposure in the early weeks of absence.
• Follow the reintegration obligations set by the Wet verbetering poortwachter diligently, as failures can result in UWV sanctions that extend wage-continuation costs.
• Use the absence-management services bundled with many verzuimverzekering policies to reduce duration and support early reintegration.

Referencias legales

• BW 7:925 Dutch Civil Code: insurance contract Derecho neerlandés

Salvo indicación en contrario, las referencias remiten al derecho neerlandés (Burgerlijk Wetboek, el Código Civil neerlandés); los instrumentos de la UE como el RGPD se aplican en toda la UE. Se trata de información general, no de asesoramiento legal. Otras jurisdicciones tratan estos conceptos de forma distinta. Verifique el texto vigente y su situación con un abogado cualificado.