The short answer
For ordinary employees, the employer generally continues at least 70% of wages during illness for up to 104 weeks, subject to the legal conditions. In the first year the minimum-wage floor can apply.
Check whether your employment continues
A contract or CAO may provide more. A temporary contract can still reach its agreed end date; being sick does not automatically extend it.
Follow the reporting and recovery process
Use the employer’s sickness reporting procedure promptly and keep confirmation. Cooperate with appropriate occupational-health and reintegration steps. You do not need to give your manager a diagnosis; medical assessment belongs with the relevant health professional. Ask payroll which rate, waiting days if applicable and wage components are used. If the contract ends while you remain ill, check the UWV route immediately.
What to do next
- Report sick through the required channel and save confirmation.
- Check the contract, CAO and latest payslip for the payment rules.
- If employment ends, confirm the sickness-benefit report and next contact.
A six-month contract reaches its agreed end date during illness. The employer’s wage continuation and a possible UWV benefit are separate stages; do not assume the payslip will continue unchanged.
Questions people ask
Is sick pay always 100%?
No. The legal baseline and any contractual or CAO supplement must be checked separately. Many arrangements improve the baseline but they are not identical.
Can my temporary contract end while I am ill?
Yes, an agreed end date can still apply. Check the report to UWV and possible sickness-benefit entitlement.
Must I tell my manager the diagnosis?
Medical details belong with the relevant health professional. Follow the employer’s reporting procedure without assuming you must disclose your diagnosis to a manager.
What if I work through an agency?
Agency membership, contract terms and the agreed end date matter. Use the separate agency sickness guide and UWV’s current explanation.
Who should explain a lower payment?
Ask payroll for the applicable percentage, period and wage base, then compare them with your contract and CAO.
Sources
Last verified: 4 October 2026. Sources are in Dutch or English.