How do I report sick to my employer without sharing medical details?
What would you like help with?
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Report promptly that illness prevents your normal work and follow the known sickness protocol. You do not need to give your manager a diagnosis. Agree contact arrangements and a next update; medical assessment belongs to the occupational physician. Reporting sick does not automatically apply for Ziektewet benefit.
On this page
1. Choose the correct reporting route
This guide concerns employees under Dutch employment law. If you have an employer, notify them; agency workers should check arrangements with both agency and workplace. Without an employer, during WW or when employment ends, separate UWV routes and deadlines may apply. Use the relevant guidance. The ordinary employer route does not mean you can never also need to notify UWV.
2. Follow the specific notification rules
Check whom to call or message, the required channel and time, and the alternative contact. There is no universal rule requiring every employee to call before 09:00. Report as soon as possible under the applicable rules; a text is not automatically enough where a call is required. If your situation prevents notification, seek help where possible and explain the delay when able. Keep its time and method.
3. Share necessary information only
State that illness prevents your normal duties. Give necessary contact information, estimated duration if known and pending tasks or appointments needing handover. Unknown recovery time can remain unknown. Before initial occupational-physician advice, the employer may not ask for a diagnosis, treatment or medical limitations. Medical details do not belong in an ordinary HR form; the physician's medical questionnaire is different.
Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens · Zieke werknemers ↗
4. Leave medical assessment to the physician
The employer must pass the notification to the occupational-health service or physician within one week. That does not give you a week to report. The physician assesses health in relation to work and may advise the employer on adjustments and expected absence without sharing your diagnosis or medical file. Cooperate with reasonable checks and arrangements; privacy does not permit refusing all contact.
5. Respond carefully to pressure or refusal
If your manager asks about symptoms or treatment, direct medical questions to the occupational physician and confirm practical contact details. Even volunteered medical details cannot simply be recorded in the employer's file. If notification is refused or pay is threatened, request the specific reason in writing and physician assessment. Do not ignore checks or reintegration; have a pay measure assessed. Use separate personnel-file guidance for access requests.
Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens · Zieke werknemers ↗
Arboportaal · Gezamenlijke uitleg privacy bij ziekmelding ↗
6. Keep evidence and agree the next contact
Record the first sick day, notification time, recipient, contact agreement and reply, without entering a diagnosis or medical file into this preparation. The draft confirmation is supplementary and does not replace a required call or portal. Report recovery under the protocol; agree partial return with reference to physician advice. For a persistent dispute, unclear pay measure or missing support, use our own help request. Preparation sends nothing and does not decide fitness for work.
Draft confirmation of sickness notification and contact
Use in addition to the prescribed notification, not instead of a required call or portal. Omit medical details. Check the facts and send yourself only if appropriate.
Edit your draftWord
Your edits stay on this page and are not automatically saved or sent. Complete every placeholder.
Must I tell my boss exactly what is wrong?
No. Report inability to do normal work because of illness and provide necessary practical information. Your employer may not ask for the diagnosis. Discuss medical information with the occupational physician or service through their secure route, while cooperating with reasonable checks and contact arrangements.
Documents to prepare
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 6 · Where do you stand with this item?
Employer, agency or separate UWV route
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Employer, agency or separate UWV route
- Protocol: contact, channel and time
- First sick day and notification evidence
- Contact details and duration, including unknown
- Pending tasks and next contact without diagnosis
- Physician contact, recovery report and any written pay measure
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
Arboportaal · Richtlijnen bij ziekteverzuim ↗Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens · Zieke werknemers ↗Arboportaal · Gezamenlijke uitleg privacy bij ziekmelding ↗Arboportaal · Bedrijfsarts en privacy ↗UWV · Ziek, wat nu? ↗Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens · Regels voor werkgevers ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.