Belgian employees lose vacation days due to illness despite new laws

A study by HR service provider Attentia reveals that 74% of Belgian employees who fell ill during their holidays failed to recover their lost vacation days last year, despite new regulations introduced on January 1, 2024.

Under the current law, sick days occurring during statutory leave are no longer counted as vacation days, allowing employees to reclaim them later in the year or within 24 months under specific conditions. However, the study found that only 26% of affected workers successfully recovered their time. The primary reasons for this include 51% of employees simply not requesting the days back and 23% facing refusals from supervisors.

Lack of awareness appears to be a significant factor, with nearly one in four workers reporting they had never heard of the regulation. This lack of information is particularly prevalent among those under 35, where the figure reaches 31%. To reclaim days, employees must notify their employer immediately and provide a medical certificate within two working days.