Verzuimbeleid is the formal policy that describes how sickness absence is reported, registered, supervised, and resolved within an organisation. Under the Arbowet, every employer must have a written policy covering sick-reporting procedures, the role of the bedrijfsarts, contact frequency during absence, privacy rules, and reintegration responsibilities.
A good policy distinguishes frequent short-term absence, long-term illness, and absence linked to conflict or psychosocial workload (PSA). It sets clear expectations for line managers, confirms that medical data stays with the arbodienst, and aligns with the sequence of Wet Verbetering Poortwachter milestones: first-day reporting, problem analysis in week six, plan of action in week eight, and first-year evaluation around week 52.
Because sickness carries up to 104 weeks of wage payment, a well-executed verzuimbeleid directly reduces cost and protects the organisation against a UWV loonsanctie at the end of the second sickness year.