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Vader met ziek kind

Short-term care leave

If someone close to you has fallen ill and you need to care for them, you are entitled to short-term care leave. Condition is that the sick person requires care and, given the circumstances, you are the only one who can provide that care. Can someone else provide the care? Then you are not entitled to short-term care leave.

For example, you cannot take short-term care leave for someone who is hospitalised, because the sick person is already receiving care.

You can take short-term care leave for up to twice the number of hours worked per week in a period of 12 consecutive months. Your employer is not required to continue payment of your wages during short-term care leave (but may choose to do so).

You can take short-term care leave to care for the following people in your environment:

  • (Foster) children, partner, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, brothers and sisters (second-degree relatives);
  • Others in your household (e.g. an aunt living with you);
  • Acquaintances (someone with whom you have a social relationship). Examples include: parents-in-law, a neighbour or a friend. However, the relationship must be such that it is logical for you to take care of that person. Condition remains that you are the only one who can care for the sick person.

Applying for short-term care leave with the employer

You report the short-term care leave to your employer as soon as possible. When doing so, you indicate the reason and how long you expect the leave to continue. Your employer may subsequently request evidence demonstrating that the leave was necessary (for example, an appointment note from the general practitioner).

Your employer may refuse to grant leave if there are compelling business or service interests that prevent this. In that case, the employer notifies its rejection in writing, stating the reasons for its rejection.

Care leave abroad

The law does not stipulate that care during short-term care leave must be provided on your own island. Hence, you can also take care leave to care for a loved one abroad.