Absences

What if I'm sick?

• Notify us (via email, phone, SMS, mailbox; there are plenty of options) and also the company you work for between 8:30 and 9:30 on the morning of your workday. Our office is open from 8:30 to 17:30, but you can always leave a message on our answering machine after hours. Don’t know your employer’s number? No problem, we can look it up for you.
• Provide us with your sick note within 48 hours.
• In case of sufficient seniority, Vivaldis pays your guaranteed wage. If you're newer with us, the health insurance fund steps in. Don’t forget to have the 'confidential' part filled in by your doctor and give it to your health insurance fund. They arrange everything for your benefit.

What about pregnancy? How many weeks am I entitled to?

If you’re expecting, you're entitled to 15 weeks of maternity leave.

Maternity leave is divided into two parts:

• Before birth ('maternity leave'): up to 6 weeks (1 week mandatory)
• After birth ('postnatal leave'): at least 9 weeks (mandatory)

You must stop working one week before the expected delivery date. The remaining weeks of maternity leave (up to 5 weeks) can be transferred to postnatal rest. Your maternity leave will be compensated by the mutual health insurance.

What about maternity allowance?

When expecting a baby, it’s nice to know that there's financial support, namely the maternity allowance. If you're permanently employed, you're entitled to this.

If you're the head of the family and affiliated with a child benefit fund, we'll arrange for this fund to pay out your maternity allowance. But note, you can only apply for this from the fifth month of your pregnancy.

Haven’t chosen a child benefit fund yet? No problem. You can apply for the premium yourself, ideally four months before the expected delivery date, but it can be up to five years after birth. So don’t stress, there's plenty of time to sort everything out.

The maternity allowance ensures you have fewer financial worries when welcoming your baby, allowing you to focus on your new family member!

What about short leave?

Short leave might sound strange, but it's a very handy arrangement. As a temporary worker, you have the same rights as someone directly employed by the company you work for. This means you can take time off for significant personal events while retaining your pay. Examples include a wedding, a funeral, or fulfilling civic duties like serving on a jury or testifying in court.

So, if something significant happens in your life, whether it's a time for celebration or a difficult period, you have the right to be there without worrying about your income. That’s quite reassuring, isn’t it?

Want more information about how short leave works or what it means for you? Don't hesitate to ask for more details. We’re here to explain everything, so you know exactly what to expect.