Work stoppages: changes in 2024

End of waiting period for cases of miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy

Since 1^er January 2024, the 3-day waiting period to obtain the Social Security daily allowance does not apply in the case of miscarriage. The work stoppage is therefore compensated from the first day of cessation of activity. In order to benefit from this provision, the doctor must have prescribed the work stoppage in question via the specific paper form. This must then be transmitted by the employee to her health insurance fund.

This waiting period shall also not apply where the sick leave is caused by a medicalised termination of pregnancy (IMG) IMG is termination of pregnancy when the pregnancy poses a serious risk to the health of the pregnant woman or if there is a high probability that the unborn child is suffering from a disease of a particular severity recognized as incurable at the time of diagnosis. The latter measure will apply from a date fixed by Order in Council (no later than 1^er July 2024).

Reduction of the duration of work stoppages issued by teleconsultation

At 1^er January 2024, the prescription or renewal of a work stoppage made following a teleconsultation must not bring (or have the effect of bringing) the duration of the stoppage to more than 3 days.

This new rule does not apply where:

• this has been prescribed or renewed by the treating physician or the referring midwife;
• the patient is unable to consult a competent medical professional to obtain an extension of his work stoppage.