Have you been looking forward to the holiday for so long, you will get sick! According to the law, you are then allowed to report sick to your employer, so that you do not have to surrender any vacation days. These are then converted into sick days.
Yet most Dutch people, an estimated 80 percent, do not report it to their boss if they fall ill during their leave, says Arboned.
Marilyn Struwe is surprised about this: “It’s no surprise to me that you don’t have to give up vacation days when you’re sick. But maybe I, 63 years old, belong to a generation that is better informed.”
Jan van Munster also thinks it is wise to have your leave days converted into sick days, but not in all cases. “For example, if you have mental problems and you have been advised to take good care of yourself and you decide to go out anyway, then I do not think reporting sick is appropriate.”
Van Munster also believes that trust and honesty are important here. “To make it all less complex, it could help to have a company doctor determine whether or not the days of leave should be converted.”
De-stress
Almost every holiday it hits: the first few days I feel like flu, probably because my body de-stresses. With mild flu symptoms I normally just keep working. Why would I call in sick during a holiday?
R. Neuvel
Logical
During the Christmas holidays I got sick: flu and a respiratory infection and I couldn’t leave the house. I had to cancel all appointments, so I called in sick. That seems logical and correct to me, otherwise it would have been at the expense of my spare days.
Marilyn Struve
Not necessary
In Bali I fell off my scooter a few years ago. Because of the pain I couldn’t walk for a few days, but made the best of it by relaxing by the pool. According to a colleague I could have called in sick, but I didn’t because I was able to enjoy it despite everything.
Janneke Roelofs
No problem
If you don’t call in sick, you’re robbing your own wallet. During a holiday in Spain I became as sick as a dog due to food poisoning. I immediately reported this to my work and I was reported sick without any problems.
Marianne Steenbergen
To trust
Getting sick while on vacation is very annoying. You have to check whether you can still enjoy your holiday. If your finger gets dislocated, it may well be that you can’t work but still have a nice walking holiday. It’s mostly about trust and honesty.
John van Munster