Can I catch up on sick leave hours during reintegration?

Questioner

I ended up on sick leave for a while due to a number of things. Now I am working on a reintegration and last week I sprained my ankle. Really bad because I couldn't get up the stairs for 5 days. Now my work demands that I make up for the day I couldn't work in that week. I don't think they are allowed to demand this.

Lawyer

It is indeed not so easy for your employer to demand that you make up for hours that you have missed due to a physical disability, such as a sprained ankle. In the context of reintegration, the intention is generally that you recover and gradually return to work in a way that suits your current health situation. The law states that an employer may only impose limited work duties on an employee who is unable to work due to illness for the first two years. In this process, also called reintegration, both the employer and the employee must make reasonable efforts to facilitate the return to work. Nevertheless, you may not be forced to work more than you can at that moment, a situation like you had when you sprained your ankle. You are right to be cautious about working extra hours in this situation. A good idea might be to consult with your company doctor about your current situation. Mention that your employer wants you to work extra hours. Finally, if you believe that you are not being treated correctly during your reintegration, you may consider reporting the issue to the SZW Inspectorate or seeking legal advice from an employment lawyer. It is always advisable to seek legal advice in such situations. -------------- Stichting Rechtswinkel.nl is a national organization with students and volunteers. The above advice is based on limited information and may be incomplete or even incorrect for your situation. Always consult a lawyer or attorney for your further steps. Read disclaimer: https://rechtswinkel.nl/disclaimer I would like to invite you to rate the above answer so that we can learn from your response.