If you are an employee of the federal government, whether as a contractual or statutory official, remember to keep moving forward with self-belief.
Here, you will discover information regarding your return to work and support for both you and your loved ones. This information is specifically tailored for individuals who worked for the federal government.
We categorise the information into two sections:
👉 Click on a question for further details.
💡Please be aware: The content provided on this website is comprehensive. Some details may not be immediately relevant to you. Feel free to revisit for additional insights at a later time.
If you aim to reenter the workforce following a brain injury, you will always require approval from the health insurance fund's advisory doctor.
The process of returning to work may not be straightforward.
🚧Challenge: The effects of a brain injury, such as impacting your work pace or quality, and potentially disrupting your work-life balance, can pose challenges. Sometimes, these consequences may only become apparent upon resuming work.
💪Opportunity: Returning full-time immediately after a brain injury is uncommon. A common reintegration approach involves gradually resuming tasks in the workplace. There are three reduced performance schemes:
🔀Various scenarios are possible:
You play a significant role in your return to work.
Thankfully, it is a collaborative effort where you are at the core, supported by various stakeholders.
🚧Challenge: Assessing the workplace implications of your brain injury may be challenging.
💪 Opportunity: Hence, discussing work-related assistance with your treating doctor is crucial.
The occupational physician can provide valuable support in ensuring the steps taken towards work are realistic and suitable.
🤝Together: Establishing good communication with your manager and colleagues is vital.
💡Tip: Some companies have specialised teams or personnel for supporting employees returning to work after a prolonged absence. Reach out to this resource through your employer's HR department for additional assistance, guidance, or coaching during the reintegration process.
Your loved ones often have insights into your well-being and the appropriateness of resuming work. Depending on whether you follow an informal or formal reintegration process, specific steps and responsibilities will be determined. In a formal process, responsibilities are more defined, with the occupational physician playing a central role.
You are not alone in your journey.
Numerous professionals are available to assist you, each bringing their unique expertise.
🤝Together: These professionals rely on each other to guide you along the right path and collaboratively find effective solutions.
🚧Challenge: Clarifying roles and identifying the appropriate contacts for specific needs can be challenging.
💪Opportunity: Here are key individuals in the return-to-work process:
💡Tip: Direct your employer to the employer section of this website for additional information.
Returning to work post a brain injury can be intricate due to the hidden effects like fatigue or heightened sensitivity to stimuli.
Maintaining employment after returning can prove even more challenging.
Remember, there are several individuals who can offer assistance:
There are various options and individuals available to provide you with support.
💡These tips can help you prepare for your return to work:
Certainly, you have the option to request reduced performance.
There are three programs for reduced performance:
💰 Salary: Transitioning to reduced performance may impact your wages. Details on these consequences can be found here.
🚧Challenge: Returning 'part-time' doesn't necessarily mean half-time. Starting with a more limited number of hours might be more suitable for you.
💪Opportunity: Engaging in volunteer work during your disability is an option.
💡Tip: Consult with your treating doctor, occupational physician, and employer regarding the number of working hours and job responsibilities. If you wish to retain (part of) your benefits upon returning to work, approval from your health insurance fund is necessary. Following this approval, you can engage in adapted work or volunteer activities. You can request a brochure from your health insurance fund about (part-time) return to work.
The impact on your salary and benefits varies based on the specific reduced performance programme:
Since October 1, 2022, legislation mandates that the occupational doctor or a supporting nurse must reach out to you after four weeks of incapacity for work. The objective of this contact is to provide information on the options for your return to work.
🚧Challenge: Even if you are hesitant about returning to work or uncertain about its feasibility, it can be beneficial to schedule an appointment with the occupational physician. This allows you to address your concerns together.
🤝Together: If you are unsure about scheduling an appointment, discuss this with your treating doctor or healthcare team. They can help evaluate whether meeting with the occupational physician is appropriate and clarify the purpose of such an appointment.
Yes, if you are affiliated to a union.
💪Opportunity:
your local militant can advise and inform you about the possibilities of resuming work with your own or another employer.
the militant, if you want, sometimes joins a discussion with your employer.
🤝Together: you can also visit your union secretariat, for a free career counselling session.
A career counselor will work with you on your career question.
This system works through career guidance vouchers.
💡Tip: Every employee is entitled to career cheques every six years.
Yes, but...
You have the option to request to (partially) return to work at any time. If you intend to resume work on a part-time basis, approval from Medex or the insurer is necessary.
🚧Challenge: To accurately assess your level of permanent disability, it is crucial for the advisory doctor of the industrial accident insurance to be well-informed about the progress of your part-time return to work.
💪Opportunity: It is beneficial to communicate both positive aspects and challenges you encounter. Many consequences of a brain injury may not be visible but can significantly impact your (remaining) work opportunities.
💡Tip: If you have specific inquiries regarding returning to work after a workplace accident, consider scheduling an appointment with a Fedris social worker.
Yes but...
Your holiday leave decreases in proportion to your performance.
If you are unable to continue your previous job due to a brain injury or if you are not finding opportunities with your current employer, there are several individuals who can provide support:
It is crucial to assess what you aim to achieve in your work life. Consider what type of work would be suitable for you and whether retraining is something you would like to pursue.
You are not obliged to inform your employer about your health or your medical history.
For instance, you are not obliged to tell them you have a brain injury.
Sharing this information can, however, make your employer more understanding of any necessary adjustments to your job or working environment.
It is a personal choice, where you can identify the pros and cons for yourself.
However, you are obliged to tell your employer everything that is important to perform your job.
🚧Challenge: it sounds easy in theory, but in practice there is often a thin line between what you say and what you don’t.
💪Opportunity: think carefully beforehand about what you want to share with whom and how.
For example, do you send an e-mail to all your colleagues or do you inform one colleague in detail? That colleague can be your confidant and your on the job mentor.
It can be useful to rehearse such a conversation in advance with someone from the rehabilitation team or write such an e-mail together.
If you have been able to talk about your brain injury several times, you will find a way to talk about it that suits you.
No, this is a personal choice.
💪Opportunity: if you return to work after a brain injury, you can be open with your employer, your supervisor and/or your colleagues by informing them about (the impact of) your brain injury.
However, this is not an obligation.
🤝Together: sharing the invisible consequences of a brain injury (e.g. reduced long-term concentration, hypersensitivity to stimuli or fatigue) can help your employer to think about options: how can you still continue to work with your brain injury?
In the event that your sick leave entitlement (which varies based on seniority) has been depleted and you remain unwell, you will transition to disability due to illness.
Under this circumstance, you are eligible for a monthly disability benefit equivalent to 60% of your last gross salary.
Upon the onset of disability, you have the option to request an evaluation by a Medex physician. If the doctor deems your brain injury to be severe and enduring, you qualify for a disability benefit equivalent to your full previous gross salary.
It is important to note that permanent unfitness due to illness or exhaustion of sick leave entitlement cannot be declared in this scenario. Additionally, if you are absent due to illness for 365 days after reaching the age of 63, retirement will be automatic.
In order to address this inquiry, it is essential to understand the concept of 'consolidation':
💰Salary: Your salary is maintained throughout the temporary disability phase.In the event of permanent disability post-consolidation, you will receive a pension based on factors such as your base salary and the extent of permanent disability. You have the option to request a (partial) return to work at any time. If considering part-time work, approval from Medex or the insurer is necessary.
🚧Challenge: Determining the appropriate timing for resuming work following a brain injury remains a personal decision.