## Continued Wage Payment During Illness on a Temporary Contract in Leiden
In Leiden, with its thriving academic and cultural sector where temporary contracts are common, such as at the University of Leiden or local startups, as an employee, you have the right to **continued wage payment during illness** under a **temporary contract**. This obligation applies only for the duration of the contract, after which you may transition to a Sickness Benefits Act (Ziektewet) allowance through the UWV. This article, tailored to the situation in Leiden, explains how this works under Dutch employment law, with tips for local support.
### What Does Continued Wage Payment During Illness Mean for Temporary Contracts?
**Continued wage payment during illness** requires your employer to continue paying your wages if you are unable to work due to sickness. For a **temporary contract** in Leiden, often used in flexible roles at universities or the Bio Science Park, this payment stops at the end of the contract, even if you are still recovering. Afterward, you can apply for a benefit from the UWV, provided you meet the requirements. This protects flexible workers in our region but offers less security than permanent positions.
The law encourages recovery and reintegration, while employers are urged to provide assistance. In Leiden, temporary contracts typically run until their end date, regardless of illness; extension is not required. If your contract ends while you are sick, apply promptly for a **Sickness Benefits Act allowance** from the UWV. For more details on flexible workers, see our overview of the [Sickness Benefits Act for flexible workers and agency staff](/ziektewet-flexwerkers-uitzendkrachten). Need local advice? Contact the Leiden Legal Aid Office for free guidance.
### Legal Foundations
The rules are outlined in the Dutch Civil Code (BW), with Article **7:629 BW** requiring wage continuation during illness for up to 104 weeks, unless the contract ends earlier. For **temporary contracts** (Article 7:668a BW) in Leiden, the contract for a fixed term remains in effect and ends on the agreed date, without automatic extension due to illness.
After the contract ends, you fall under the **Sickness Benefits Act**, governed by the Act and related laws. Article 19 of the ZW provides entitlement to a benefit if the employer stops paying. In the first two years, the employer must pay at least 70% of your wages (often 100% in the first year under a collective labor agreement), and the Sickness Benefits Act allowance is also 70% of your daily wage, up to a maximum of €274.44 (2023). For temporary workers in Leiden, such as those on call contracts in the hospitality sector, you must demonstrate sufficient days worked in the previous year. Additional rules apply under collective agreements like ABU or NBBU for agency workers.
Important: Meet the wage-related conditions for the Sickness Benefits Act. In case of disputes about your rights, you can turn to the Leiden District Court for employment matters.
### Your Rights and Obligations Regarding Continued Wage Payment
#### Rights as an Employee in Leiden
If you fall ill during a **temporary contract**, you have the right to:
- Continuation of wages until the contract ends (at least 70%, often higher under a collective labor agreement).
- Protection against dismissal during illness, except for urgent reasons (Article 7:670 BW).
- Reintegration support from your employer, including a reintegration plan (PVA) within 8 weeks of reporting your illness.
- After the contract ends: A Sickness Benefits Act allowance via the UWV, after two waiting days, if you are still unable to work.
#### Obligations as an Employee
1. Report your illness immediately to your employer (typically within 2 days).
2. Cooperate with reintegration efforts, such as consultations with the occupational health service or steps toward returning to work.
3. If the contract ends: Apply for Sickness Benefits Act benefits from the UWV within 2 weeks.
4. Avoid activities that hinder your recovery.
Employers must pay wages and inform the occupational health service, but with temporary contracts in Leiden, the period is short, which accelerates reintegration. For help with local procedures, contact the Leiden Legal Aid Office.
### Examples from Leiden Practice
Suppose you are on a **temporary contract** for 6 months as a research assistant at the University of Leiden and fall ill with the flu after 3 months. Your employer continues payment (100% in the first year, as per the collective agreement) until the end. After 6 months, if you are still sick, you apply for Sickness Benefits Act benefits from the UWV: 70% of your daily wage, for example, €50 per day based on a gross monthly salary of €2,000. This highlights the need for quick action in our region.
For a call contract in the Leiden hospitality sector, you report illness for scheduled shifts, and the employer continues payment. Without extension, you may qualify for Sickness Benefits Act benefits if you have worked recently. Disputes often arise about wage duration in chain contracts (maximum 3, under Article 7:668a paragraph 2 BW). The Municipality of Leiden sometimes provides additional information through employment support services.
### Comparison: Temporary vs. Permanent Contract
Here is an overview for clarity in the Leiden context:
| Aspect | Temporary Contract | Permanent Contract |
|-------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Wage Continuation | Only until end of contract (max. 104 weeks) | Full 104 weeks |
| After Contract End | Sickness Benefits Act allowance via UWV | No contract end; wages continue |
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.