Van arbeidsverzuim tot arbeidsongeschiktheid; veranderende rol van betrokken artsen

Hardly any part of the legal regulations on absenteeism and incapacity for work has remained unchanged since 1993 in the Netherlands. The system is becoming increasingly complicated.

The essence of the changes is that employers' responsibility has greatly increased.

The new regulations mean a transition from industrial health care to Factories Act services and from the industrial insurance board to implementing organs.

The legislator emphasizes the evaluation of what people with health disorders are still able to do. Prevention of absenteeism/incapacity for work and reintegration are given great attention.

Treating physicians should not let the complicated regulations keep them from fulfilling their tasks concerning sick employees, since it is increasingly in the patient's interest that chronicity be prevented whenever possible.