Progressive return for therapeutic reasons

In the event of prolonged incapacity for work, the progressive return to work is an essential step in the recovery and reintegration process.

Useful information is available to help plan and manage this progressive return to work, in collaboration with the doctor and the employer.

 

Everything you need to know

What is progressive return to work for therapeutic reasons?

It involves allowing the employee to gradually return to work during the recovery phase, limiting the stress of the daily work routine, and thus contributing to the improvement of the employee's general state of health.

If this has not yet been done but the employee feels concerned by the progressive return to work for therapeutic reasons, they can seek advice from their general practitioner.

Conditions to be met

Before submitting a request to the CNS, it is advisable to ensure that the following conditions are met:

  • the employee has been unable to work for at least one month in the three months preceding the request;
  • the incapacity for work is still ongoing at the time of the request;
  • a medical certificate, provided by the doctor, confirms that this scheme will have a beneficial effect on the employee's recovery and state of health;
  • the employer's agreement has been obtained.

Procedure to follow to make the request

  • Make an appointment with the general practitioner to obtain their opinion and fill in the form together.
  • Ask the employer to give their consent by also signing the form.
  • Send the form duly completed and signed by all three parties (doctor, employer and applicant) to the following address:

Caisse nationale de santé
Indemnités pécuniaires
L-2980 Luxembourg

Good to know: no postage is required for any mail sent to the CNS from Luxembourg.

Access the request form

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Does the beneficiary of the ‘Progressive return to work for therapeutic reasons’ scheme have to obtain a certificate of incapacity for work in addition to the duly completed form?

Yes, a certificate of incapacity for work must be provided for the entire duration of the progressive return to work, because, from a labour law point of view, the incapacity for work remains.

However, if during the progressive return to work it is not possible to go to work, no new certificate of incapacity for work is required.

However, any interruption of the incapacity for work ends the measure, for example in the event of taking statutory leave or returning to full-time work earlier than planned, i.e. 100% of the time stipulated in the employment contract.

In this case, the CNS must be informed immediately in writing.

Please note! For the entire duration of the progressive return to work, the employee is considered to be totally unfit for work. This period is therefore fully taken into account when calculating the maximum duration of financial benefits (78 weeks in total over a period of 104 weeks).

For more information, see the section ‘Duration of entitlement to financial compensation’ on the page entitled ‘Sickness benefit for employees’.

What will the income be during the progressive return to work?

Depending on the situation, the employee will receive either the salary paid by their employer or a financial compensation from the CNS. Any change in the method of remuneration will be communicated to them in writing by the CNS.

For more information, see the section ‘By whom and under what conditions is the compensation paid’ on the page entitled ‘Sickness benefit for employees’.

Are working time rules applied during the progressive return to work?

No, there is no rule specifying a percentage of working time to be observed. This must be progressively adapted according to the state of health with the aim of improving it.

Does an employee gradually resuming work have to respect the authorised hours of absence in the event of incapacity for work?

No, the system for sick leave does not apply during the progressive return to work for therapeutic reasons. The employee therefore does not have to adhere to any specific hours.

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