A growing number of Belgian employees on long-term sick leave are re-entering the workforce through a part-time scheme, the Belgian Christian Health Insurance (CM) reported on Thursday.
While the system has proven beneficial, employer support remains inconsistent, leaving some workers without the necessary accommodations.
According to CM, one in five of its members who receive disability benefits (46,494 out of 239,525 individuals) were working part-time last month.
This marks a 45% increase compared to 2020. CM chair Luc Van Gorp highlighted the significance of these figures, stating: “This shows that gradually returning to work pays off and that many people want nothing more than to go back to work.”
Under the scheme, employees recovering from illness can reintegrate into the workforce on a part-time basis. Employers pay wages for the hours worked, while health insurance covers the remainder.
The approach is particularly prevalent among women aged 40 to 49, who make up 28.9% of those returning part-time. The data also suggests that part-time reintegration is often a transitional phase rather than a permanent solution.
Within six months, 60% of employees fully return to work, and this figure increases to 90% within two years. However, despite these promising trends, not all employers facilitate adjusted work conditions for those seeking to return.
A CM survey conducted among 5,100 respondents revealed that 27% of those attempting to resume work received either no accommodations or only partial adjustments.
Among the 170 respondents who were denied workplace modifications, 20% reported that their employer never provided an explanation.
The most cited reasons were practical constraints related to the job itself or employer-related issues. Alarmingly, 11% of cases involved managers who failed to see the necessity of adjustments.
A separate survey among long-term sick leave recipients emphasized that a supportive workplace environment plays a crucial role in their return.
Respondents pointed out the importance of having empathetic employers, motivating supervisors, and colleagues who understand how to engage with someone recovering from illness.
CM chair Luc Van Gorp urged companies to be more accommodating, stressing that a gradual return to work benefits both employees and society at large.
“For many people, work is a source of fulfilment and an important step in recovery. Enabling this is a job for society as a whole,” he said.
As Belgium continues to refine its approach to workforce reintegration, the challenge remains in ensuring that all employers recognize the value of part-time returns and provide adequate support for those eager to rejoin their professional lives.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
