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ARTICLE · 12 NOVEMBER 2025

A Medical Certificate: Not Always What It Seems

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When an employee is unable to work due to illness, the employer may request a medical certificate. This obligation usually stems from the work rules. A medical certificate confirms the incapacity for work...

BelgiumEmployment and HR
Emma Van Caenegem
Emma Van Caenegem
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When an employee is unable to work due to illness, the employer may request a medical certificate. This obligation usually stems from the work rules. A medical certificate confirms the incapacity for work and its likely duration. In addition, the medical certificate also clarifies whether an employee is allowed to leave their place of residence. Employers are increasingly confronted with certificates and documents that do not qualify as medical certificates... What do all these variations mean and what legal consequences and/or obligations do they entail for an employee and employer? Time for an overview...

1. The traditional medical certificate

This is the certificate referred to above. If an employee is unfit for work, he will generally have to submit a medical certificate. Compliance with this obligation is important if an employee does not want to lose his right to guaranteed pay.

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