The debate around the first day of sick leave is resurfacing in Belgium. Within policy circles and employer organisations, discussions are once again underway about revisiting guaranteed pay from day one of absence. For many SMEs, where short-term absences are immediately felt, this is far from a minor issue. But what is actually being considered, and what is already in place today?
A quick recap: what are the current rules?
Since January 2014, the so-called "waiting day" has been abolished. This brought a clear change:
- Employees are entitled to guaranteed pay from the first day of illness
- Even a one-day absence is therefore paid
- The rule applies to both blue-collar and white-collar workers
According to sources such as SD Worx and the Belgian federal authorities, the aim was to protect employees from income loss during short periods of illness.
Since November 2022, an additional measure has been introduced: employees may be absent for one day without a medical certificate up to three times per year. It is precisely this change that has reignited the debate around short-term absences.
Why is this back on the agenda?
Despite the reform, criticism has been growing, particularly from employers. Organisations such as the FEB and Unizo have pointed to an increase in short-term sick leave.
The reasoning is fairly straightforward:
if the first day of absence is always paid, it may lower the threshold for taking a single sick day.
SMEs tend to feel the impact most directly:
- More complex workforce planning
- Last-minute replacements
- Productivity loss in smaller teams
In smaller organisations, even a single absence can quickly disrupt operations.
What options are being discussed?
No final decision has been made at this stage, but several scenarios are currently being explored in policy discussions:
- Reintroducing an unpaid first sick day
- Limiting the number of paid short-term absences per year
- Increasing controls on medical certificates
- Introducing sector-specific rules
At the same time, recent changes regarding medical certificates are also feeding the debate. Employees can already take up to three one-day absences per year without providing a certificate, which adds another layer to the discussion.
What do the numbers show?
Data from HR service providers such as SD Worx and Partena Professional suggests that short-term sick leave has indeed increased in recent years.
Key patterns include:
- Absences lasting one to three days
- Peaks at the beginning and end of the week
- A stronger impact in physically demanding sectors
While the causes are not entirely clear-cut, the combination of more flexible rules and workplace pressure is often highlighted.
What does this mean for businesses today?
For now, no legislative changes have been approved. The current rules therefore remain fully applicable.
In practice:
- The first day of sick leave is still paid
- No immediate changes are required in payroll policies
- However, there is growing attention on absence management
As a result, more companies are investing in:
- Clear internal policies on sick leave
- Faster communication when absences occur
- Prevention and workplace well-being initiatives
A broader policy shift
The discussion around the first sick day is part of a wider trend in Belgian labour policy: increasing focus on activation and shared responsibility in cases of illness.
Alongside reintegration measures and follow-up processes, policymakers are also looking at:
- Faster monitoring of absenteeism
- Stronger collaboration with occupational health services
- Financial incentives for both employers and employees
The first sick day is just one piece of a larger puzzle.
Conclusion
The first day of sick leave remains paid for now, but the debate is clearly back on the table. Whether a reform will follow depends on political negotiations throughout 2026.
For businesses, the message is twofold: nothing changes immediately, but the issue is here to stay.
Those looking ahead would do well to review their absence policies now. Because if the rules shift again, the impact will be felt quickly on the ground.
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