Emergency Leave in Rijswijk: Duration Rules and Your Rights
Emergency leave provides employees in Rijswijk and surrounding areas with leave for acute personal emergencies, such as the sudden death of a loved one or a serious accident. The Work and Care Act sets strict limits on the duration. This article explains what applies in the The Hague region, including the court and local resources.
What is emergency leave?
Emergency leave falls under short-term absence leave for unexpected, urgent matters in Rijswijk. Examples:
- Death of partner, child, parent or sibling.
- Serious illness or trauma of a household member.
- Personal disaster, such as a house fire or water damage.
The Work and Care Act (Waz) forms the basis, supplemented by your collective labour agreement (CAO) or employment contract. In the absence thereof in Rijswijk companies, employers apply the national standards. Consult the District Court of The Hague (district) for disputes.
What is the maximum duration?
By law, emergency leave is short:
- 2 days in case of death of a close relative.
- 1 day in case of illness/accident of a close relative.
These do not count towards holiday days or sick leave. CAOs in Rijswijk may extend this, e.g. to 3-5 days – check your contract.
| Type of emergency | Statutory | CAO/possible extra |
|---|---|---|
| Death | 2 days | Often 3-5 days |
| Illness/accident | 1 day | Sometimes 2-3 days |
Rights and obligations
Your rights
- Paid for statutory days (unless otherwise agreed).
- No classification as sick leave.
- No medical certificate required, except in specific cases.
Your obligations
- Report immediately to employer.
- Provide proof, such as a funeral card or certificate.
- Use only for genuine urgency.
Employer's obligations
- Approve valid claims.
- No unjust refusal or wage withholding.
- For legal advice: Legal Counter Rijswijk.
Practical examples
Example 1: Death of parent
Mother dies unexpectedly in Rijswijk. You report 2 days' leave for farewell and funeral. Wages paid through, no sick leave.
Example 2: Child operated on
Child seriously injured after fall; you claim 1 day to be present at emergency surgery. Immediate reporting suffices, possibly with hospital letter.
Example 3: Home flooding
Your Rijswijk apartment floods due to leakage. 1 day leave for emergency assistance and repairs – employer must approve.
Local advice in Rijswijk
In case of dispute with employer: contact the District Court of The Hague (district) or Legal Counter Rijswijk for free consultation hours. They assist with Waz application.