However, according to the draft law, this regulation harbors “potential for abuse” and leads to “excessively long periods of receipt of sick pay”. A new illness should therefore no longer result in new claims and deadlines in the future. Instead, in the future, a maximum period of sick pay of 78 weeks will apply, regardless of the occurrence of a new illness.
For insured persons with more than just minor illnesses and an inability to work that is expected to last longer than four weeks, the opportunity is created to report partial incapacity for work and receive partial sickness benefit. Employees can therefore decide to work part-time, 25, 50 or 75 percent, even during an illness. They will then receive partial sickness benefit for the remaining time.
The insured person should decide in consultation with their doctor whether part-time work is an option despite illness. The decision must therefore be voluntary. The employer’s consent is also required.
