Gatekeeper Improvement Act
The Gatekeeper Improvement Act imposes obligations on both employers and employees during the first two years of sickness absence.
Purpose of the Act
The aim is to prevent long-term incapacity for work through intensive reintegration efforts.
Employer Responsibilities
- Consult an occupational health physician
- Conduct a problem analysis (week 6)
- Develop an action plan (week 8)
- Maintain a reintegration report
- Offer suitable work
- Initiate second-track reintegration if necessary
Employee Responsibilities
- Actively contribute to reintegration
- Accept suitable work
- Provide necessary information
- Comply with appointments with the occupational health physician
Assessment by the UWV (Gatekeeper Test)
During a WIA (Work and Income according to Labour Capacity Act) application, the UWV checks whether both parties have sufficiently fulfilled their reintegration obligations.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Employer: wage sanction (additional year of continued wage payment)
- Employee: reduction in or denial of WIA benefits
Legal basis: Gatekeeper Improvement Act