Belgium Employment Guide

Maternity Leave Entitlements

Expectant employees are entitled to 15 weeks of maternity leave. This period can commence up to 6 weeks before the expected due date and must extend for at least 9 weeks following childbirth. Financial support during this leave is structured in two phases: the first 30 days provide 82% of the employee's average earnings, while the remaining duration offers 75% of average wages.

Paternity Leave Provisions

New fathers can take 10 days of paternity leave within 4 months of their child's birth. The first 3 days are fully compensated by the employer, with the subsequent 7 days covered by government benefits at 82% of average earnings (subject to daily caps).

Parental Leave Options

Working parents who have completed at least 12 months of service with their current employer within the preceding 15-month period qualify for 4 months of parental leave. This entitlement is individual-based, meaning both parents can take leave simultaneously or stagger their time off. The leave must be utilized before the child turns 12 (or 21 if the child has a disability).

Real-World Application

Consider a multinational team at SailGlobal where both parents work: they could coordinate leaves to maximize family time while ensuring business continuity through proper planning.

Sick Leave Regulations

Employees receive full salary coverage from their employer for the initial 30 days of medically-certified absence. Beyond this period, government sickness benefits typically apply. All sick leave requests require validation by healthcare professionals.

Implementation Best Practices

Progressive organizations like SailGlobal maintain clear documentation processes and use centralized platforms to streamline leave management while ensuring compliance.