Newsflash
Collective employment relations

As of today, 9 April, an employee has the right to be absent from work without any wage loss for the time necessary to be vaccinated. The absence must be registered as leave of absence (klein verlet/petit congé).

What do you have to know as an employer?

1. Scope of application

The Act applies to all employees and employers bound by an employment contract.

2. Paid absence

The employee has the right to be absent from work without wage loss. As soon as the employee knows the time slot for the vaccination, he must inform his employer. If the employer is not informed, the employee cannot expect to be paid during his absence.

3. Length of absence

The employee can benefit from this right during the time needed for the vaccination. This includes both the time necessary to travel to and from the vaccination centre and the time spent at the vaccination centre.

4. Privacy

The employer can request the employee to present proof of the appointment. If the confirmation does not mention when the employee must be present for the vaccination, the employer may request the employee to show the invitation. The employer may not take a copy of the appointment confirmation or manually copy the data. Only the time of the appointment may be registered. The employer may only use the information obtained for the purpose of organising work or ensuring correct payroll administration. The employer may only register the employee’s absence as leave of absence. The reasons for the leave of absence as well as any health problems may not be registered.

This measure enters into force today and expires on 31 December 2021. A Royal Decree can extend this date until 30 June 2022.