I have been on sickleave and during reintegration entered second year of sickness already. Then got pregnant and was on full sickleave again. After maternity I am on sickleave again due to post childbirth issues. The sickness before was physical and post childbirth is mental health issues. The uvw is still deciding whether it will be a continued one sickness or will post childbirth will be counter as a new one. They did mention that inclination is towards a new sickness. The company doctor also inclined that it will be counted as a new sickness. Now its week 85 if counter together (and week 21 if counted new) but the company is already taking the sickness as one together so they sent a letter to me asking to file for WIA soon. My question is what should I do here? Should I still file for WIA even when the decision on sickness count is still pending? What should be my next step here?
As long as UWV has not yet definitively determined which first day of sickness applies, it is not possible to say with certainty when the WIA period starts. The employer’s calculation is not decisive in that respect.
I would ask UWV in writing which first day of sickness they are currently using and whether a WIA application should already be submitted. If UWV gives you a specific deadline, do not let that deadline pass, and state in the application that the assessment of the sickness periods is still pending.
The thing is UWV has not sent anything and the employer is the one asking me to apply for WIA, giving the reason that via this application we will know whether its a new sickness or old continued one.
In that case, I would first contact UWV directly. As long as UWV has not yet determined which first day of sickness applies, it is not automatically clear whether you should already submit a WIA application.
I would therefore ask UWV in writing whether you should apply for WIA now in your specific situation and which first day of sickness they are currently using. Then follow UWV’s instructions and, if necessary, mention that the assessment of the sickness periods is still pending.