On which three measures the Group of 10 has reached agreement?

The Group of 10, consisting of representatives of employers’ organizations and trade unions, reached an agreement on three practical points in the context of the Corona crisis. Note that this agreement needs to be transposed into legislation. 

1.    New medical certificate during Covid-19
With the new (model of) medical certificate a distinction is made between:

• Employees who are unable to work as a result of Covid-19 (they are entitled to guaranteed pay); and
• Employees who are able to work but have to remain in quarantine (they are either entitled to salary in case they can work remotely or to temporary unemployment benefits).

The new certificate is a temporary measure limited to the duration of the crisis. Doctors can use them for both telephone consultations and consultations in person.

TO DO: Think about implementing the upcoming model of medical certificate in your processes for reporting incapacity for work/ absence and link the correct consequences to the certificate submitted. 

2.    Increase of disability benefits to the level of temporary unemployment benefits. 

As for the duration of Corona’s temporary unemployment (currently until 31 May 2020), the aim is to adjust the disability benefits so that there is no longer any distinction with employees in temporary unemployment. 

3.    Mandatory notification in the event of Corona temporary unemployment.

Employers who want to make use of Corona-temporary unemployment will be obliged to inform their employees in advance (i.e. at the latest the day before the unemployment). If they fail to do so, they cannot make use of Corona-temporary unemployment.

Each individual employee must be informed, but this can also be done by means of a collective communication, as long as it is clear to each employee which employment regime will apply.

In addition, the employer will have to provide information about the use of temporary unemployment to the secretary of the works council (or, in the absence of a works council, to the health and safety committee and in the absence of the committee, to the trade union delegation). 

TO DO: Prepare transparent communication, both for the employees and for the employee representatives.