The Dutch social security system is rather complex and can be costly. Mercer has developed Mercer Absence Management Services (AMS), especially for international organizations with a small branch in the Netherlands. Mercer AMS protects you from any claim or governmental fine and helps you to manage your absence with our day-to-day service. This service includes the Occupational Health Service, the best available on-line tool with the knowledge and back-up of our Registered Casemanagers.

The local manager has by far the most important role. He or she knows the absentees and is in the best position of coaching them. Mercer supplies the manager with the right timeline, protocol and forms. The Mercer AMS service also includes contracting, directing and monitoring of all external professionals (i.e. the OH-doctor, the government and insurers). Naturally setting up a compliant file is also part of the service. On this page, next to background information, you can find more information on the service including:

• Protocols and Policies
• A demo of the Occupational Health Service online tool
• An overview of available insurances
• An overview of the possible costs of mismanagement for you as an employer but also for your employees

The Dutch System

The Dutch social security system is based on the belief that employer and employee are both responsible when an absence problem arises. Therefore the employer has to put in a lot of effort to get the employee back on the work floor and has to navigate through all rules and regulations concerning absence management. If this is neglected the organisation can face major financial risks. Some details of our system are:
 

• First two years of absence are paid for by the employer;

• Very strict processes, forms and timeline during this period must be adhered to;
• There is an obligation to get assistance of an occupational health doctor;
• It is not possible to lay off your employee during these two years;
• Lots of other external parties (i.e. the healthcare or income insurers, psychologists, physiologists, labour specialists, etcetera) are involved and will need to be managed properly;
• If your actions and/or administration are not compliant, you will receive a governmental fine (one extra year) and your employee might claim additional payments.

Mercers main goal is to get grip on the costs of absence and disability; primarily for the employer, but in most cases it will also benefit the employee. He or she will receive the best medical care and we will maximize the re-integration process. Therefore the loss of income will be minimized significantly.

Registered Casemanagers

Mercer AMS operates with Registered Casemanagers, the most specialized professionals on the absence issue. Their work is driven by legal and financial objectives. The Mercer Registered Casemanagers manage all your absence. From day one they will set up a timeline consistent with all rules and regulations. In this timeline all necessary steps are outlined. They also look at the compliance and correctness of the absence dossier. The Casemanager supports, advises and monitors all involved in the absence management process. All actions are based on the Dutch rules and regulations surrounding absence therefore minimizing the financial risk for the organisation and for the employee.

Putting Mercer AMS to work assures you that your absence will be reduced and manages the process throughout the period of the employee absence. This assures the organisation that the outcome of the absence process does not expose the organisation to any risks.

Do you have any questions about this subject? Please send an email to a...@mercer.com or call Erna Meijer on + 31 (0)10 - 406 0806.