Employees who fall ill during their annual leave will be able, from 1 January 2024, to reserve their remaining vacation days for use at a later date.
The change in legislation is aimed at aligning Belgian law with the European work time directive, which provides workers with at least four weeks of paid annual leave.
As a result, sickness days occurring during holidays will no longer count as annual leave. The same will apply for days off due to accidents.
Certain rules will still need to be followed. For example, if ill or injured, the employee must quickly contact their employer, provide a medical certificate and, if not at home, inform their employer of their location.
However, holidays will not automatically be extended. The lost days can be made up at a later date.
Employees will also retain the right to paid wages for the days of incapacity that coincide with their holidays.
