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Emergency Leave Rotterdam: duration, rules and your rights

Discover the duration rules for emergency leave in Rotterdam: 1-2 days paid in case of death or illness. Rights, obligations and local help lines such as Rechtbank Rotterdam.

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Emergency Leave Rotterdam: duration, rules and your rights

Emergency leave provides employees in Rotterdam and surrounding areas with leave for acute personal emergencies, such as a death or serious illness. The duration is precisely laid down in the law. Here you can read everything about the duration, your rights and how to arrange this in the Rotterdam region.

What does emergency leave entail?

Emergency leave falls under short-term absence leave and applies to unexpected, serious situations in your private life. Think of:

  • Death of close relatives (parent, child, partner, sibling).
  • Serious illness or accident of a loved one.
  • Sudden disaster such as fire or water damage at home.

The Work and Care Act (Wet arbeid en zorg - Waz) forms the basis, supplemented by your collective labour agreement (CAO) or employment contract. Without specific agreements in the CAO, the national law applies. In Rotterdam, you can go to the Rotterdam District Court (Rechtbank Rotterdam) (Wilhelminaplein 100-125) for legal disputes, or to the Rotterdam Legal Aid Office (Juridisch Loket Rotterdam) (Westblaak 180) for free advice.

How long does emergency leave last?

By law, you are entitled in Rotterdam to:

  • 2 days in case of death of a close relative.
  • 1 day in case of serious illness/accident of a close relative.

These hours are paid short-term absence leave, not holiday days or sick leave. They do not expire, but do not accrue. CAOs in Rotterdam sectors (such as port or healthcare) sometimes offer extensions; check your contract.

Type of emergency Statutory duration CAO/Contract (Rotterdam)
Death of close relative 2 days Often 3-5 days (e.g. port CAO)
Serious illness/accident 1 day Sometimes 2-3 extra days

Your rights and obligations regarding emergency leave

Employee rights

  • Paid leave for statutory days (unless otherwise agreed).
  • No registration as illness; purely emergency.
  • No doctor's certificate required, except in case of doubt.

Employee obligations

  • Report immediately to employer.
  • Provide proof (memorial card, hospital letter).
  • Use only for genuine emergencies.

Employer obligations

  • Immediately approve the leave.
  • No sanctions without abuse.
  • Continue paying wages.

Examples of emergency leave in Rotterdam

Example 1: Death of parent

Your father passes away unexpectedly. You report 2 days of emergency leave for the funeral in Rotterdam-South. Wages continue; no sick leave required.

Example 2: Child's accident

Your son crashes his bike near the Erasmus Bridge and has to go to Ikazia Hospital. You claim 1 day of leave to accompany him. Proof via hospital is sufficient.

In case of conflicts: go to Rotterdam District Court (Rechtbank Rotterdam) (Wilhelminaplein 100-125) or Rotterdam Legal Aid Office (Juridisch Loket Rotterdam) (Westblaak 180).