HR Software for Belgium

Leave Policy

Maternity Leave

Pregnant employees are entitled to 15 weeks of maternity leave. This leave can begin 6 weeks before the birth and lasts at least 9 weeks after the birth of the child. Employees receive an allowance of 82% of their average salary during the first 30 days of maternity leave and 75% of their average salary from the 31st day until the end of the leave.

Paternity Leave

Employees are entitled to 10 days of paternity leave within 4 months of the birth of their child. The first three days are paid in full by the employer, the following seven days are paid by the state at 82% of the average salary (up to a maximum per day).

Parental Leave

Working parents are entitled to 4 months of parental leave if they have worked for the same employer for at least 12 months of the last 15 months. This right is granted to every individual. Parents can take the vacation together or at different times. It must be taken before the child turns 12 (or 21 if the child has a disability).

Sick Leave

During the first 30 days of sick leave, employees are entitled to full continued payment of wages by the employer. After 30 days, workers are usually entitled to sick pay from the government.

All sick leave must be certified by a doctor.

Pay & Tax

Minimum Wage Requirements

The minimum wage in Belgium is EUR 1,593.81 per month.

Individual Income Tax

Individual income tax is between 25% and 50%. Income tax is calculated at progressive rates. Several additional factors can affect overall rates, such as: B. the household status and the number of children.

Payroll Cost

The cost to the employer is generally estimated at 27.78% of the employee’s salary:

  • Social Security – 27.28%
  • Workers’ compensation insurance – 0.50%

Overtime Pay & Maximum Hours

The standard working hours in Belgium are 38 hours per week.

Hours that exceed the standard working hours of 38 hours per week are paid as overtime. Exceptions may apply for certain functions and positions.

Termination

Termination Requirements

Dismissals must take into account complex rules and the regulations of the country in which an employee is employed. Off-boarding is always carried out by the employer with the main participants. It may include ad hoc fees as well as required or recommended steps for specific termination cases.

An employer may terminate an employment contract either by giving proper statutory notice or by paying compensation in lieu of notice; in this case the contract will be terminated immediately.

In this case the contract will be terminated immediately. Employees can sue in court if they believe the dismissal is unjustified. If the court considers the termination to be unjustified, additional compensation may be due.

Notice Period

The minimum notice period is 2 weeks for an employment period of 3 months. The notice period increases with the length of employment.

Severance for Employees

In general, severance pay only applies if the notice period has not been observed.

To protect you from unforeseen financial risks arising from dismissals, IceHrm applies a severance pay provision to all employment contracts in this country. IceHrm has extensive expertise in managing litigation risk globally and the calculation of the severance provision is based on prevailing common law or statutory requirements and best local practices. If your employee resigns or is not entitled to severance pay, you will receive a refund of any unused amounts.

Statutory Time Off

Paid Time Off

Employees with a 38-hour week are entitled to 20 working days per year.
For part-time employees, the calculation is pro rata.

Public Holidays

There are 10 national holidays per year in Belgium. Depending on the employee’s location, additional regional holidays may be added.

National holidays include:

  • New Year celebration
  • Easter Monday
  • Labor Day
  • Ascension of Christ
  • Whit Monday
  • Belgian national day
  • Assumption Day
  • All Saints Day
  • Armistice Day 1918
  • Christmas Day

Onboarding

Onboarding

Onboarding can occur within 2 working days of signing the SOW, provided all required employee information is submitted.

Additional Info

Employment Contract Details

Contracts must always be in writing and contain the type of employment contract agreed, the probationary period, restrictive agreements and the notice period. Due to the linguistic differences between the regions in Belgium, there are special regulations regarding the language in which employment contracts are drawn up.

Probation Period

There is no probationary period for Belgium and we do not allow it.