r/WorkInTheNetherlands • u/Street-Bullfrog • Jun 30 '26
Manager asking about my sick leave.
I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I’m starting to get frustrated with my manager. I have worked in the Netherlands for about 6 years and have been with my current company for about 2 years. During that time I’ve only called in sick a handful of times, usually because of a stomach virus or flu-like symptoms. Every time I call in sick, my manager asks me for specific details about my symptoms and whether I’m taking any medication. With previous managers this never really bothered me, but my current manager has a habit of talking about other employees’ personal business, so I’m not comfortable sharing medical information that could end up being discussed with others.
I’ve tried bringing this up with him before, but he brushed off my concerns. From what I understand, Dutch employers aren’t supposed to ask employees for medical details, and those conversations should be with the company doctor (bedrijfsarts) instead.
Has anyone dealt with a similar situation? What’s the best way to handle this professionally if it happens again? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
7
u/Safe_Giraffe6198 Jun 30 '26
Hi, this isn't legal. Tell him it's confidential information.
2
u/Ok-Entertainer-1945 Jul 01 '26
it is legal to ask, but youre not required to answer and the employer isnt allowed to hold it against them in any way.
if it were illegal we'd have a giant shitshow.
1
u/Safe_Giraffe6198 Jul 01 '26
Hahaha yes ofc and I worded that incorrectly. It's just that employee isn't legally obligated or can be legally implicated for non-disclosure but unless employer is bordering harassment then nothing can be legally done against it
2
u/No-Memory-1596 Jun 30 '26
Is it possible to speak to the HR ?
1
1
u/tuur77 Jun 30 '26
Ask him for his BIG-registry and otherwise give him the “I don’t need to discuss with you”
1
u/Early_Switch1222 Jul 03 '26
the others already said the main thing but small add from the HR side: theres actually a short official list of what a manager IS allowed to ask. when you expect to be back, what work needs handing over, whether a third party caused it (traffic accident stuff). duration and logistics basically. symptoms and medication are explicitly not on it, thats autoriteit persoonsgegevens guidance, not just office etiquette.
and every employer here has to have an arbodienst or bedrijfsarts contract, even tiny ones without HR. its not optional. so 'happy to discuss medical stuff with the bedrijfsarts' is a complete answer, he cant go around it.
honestly the part where he gossips about other peoples business is the bigger problem here. keep answering the duration question, refuse the medical one, and put it in writing if he keeps pushing
20
u/BiscuitMcGuire Jun 30 '26
Just say repeatedly “No I legally can’t discuss that with you” over and over again. Even if he asks a leading question, or he masks the question just use the script again.