Returning to work after a period of illness

Martin, an agricultural employee, has been back at work since April 1, 2021 (no, this is really not a joke). And how: full-time and directly into permanent employment with the new employer!

Martin was reported to us by his employer because of his limitations. During the meeting with consultant Ronald Herni of Puls it turned out to be someone who really wanted to continue working and was willing to explore other possibilities. As Martin put it: "Not working and remaining unemployed was and is really not an option for me. It seems terrible to be forced to sit at home." Martin did not want to be labeled, but still wanted to participate in the work process. As an agricultural worker with about 40 years of work experience, he wanted to do a lot, but he did not want a desk job.

Work experience site

After a short orientation period and support in the application process (for example, polishing Martin's CV), Gerda Brantsma came his way in the search for suitable work. Besides being the owner of an agricultural company, she is also a secondment worker in the agricultural world. After getting acquainted, she wanted to help Martin move forward, but how? After consulting Puls , the choice was made to use a so-called work experience placement. A kind of trial placement, free of charge for employer Gerda. The goal was to get Martin back to work in a responsible way. He could start working in the horse stable with light work, without deadlines. An extra hand in the business for Gerda, a way of reintegration for Martin. Over 3 months, Martin built up energy and purpose again.

In permanent employment

The follow-up came again from the network within the agricultural world. Anne-Marie Stokman of Maatschap Stokman, another agricultural company, became acquainted with Martin and was interested in his background. Here again, a work experience placement was used, with the intention that Martin would be employed after the end of the waiting period (this is the period of two years of illness, when you are still officially employed by the old employer). Anne-Marie: "There was an immediate click with Martin. He is incredibly motivated and has an incredible amount of experience that we can benefit from. Surely it should be possible to retain this knowledge and skill and especially the man's enthusiasm for our agricultural sector?"

The work experience placement (a temporary tool) was converted into paid secondment from the old employer. And yes, after about seven months, Martin was employed. Permanent!

Martin: "I am so happy that I was able to rebuild my energy here for a long time in peace and with good collegial help. And that I now have a permanent contract". Smiling: "I'm not leaving here anymore".

Benefits for both employer and employee

Anne-Marie Stokman: "We are very happy with Martin. The arrangements offered also made it financially possible for us to let him build up carefully and in peace". What also played a favorable role was the fact that the UWV was able to offer the new employer a no-risk policy: should Martin drop out for whatever reason with illness or disability, Stokman does not pay any medical expenses for 5 years. And Martin does not have to claim sickness benefits from the UWV (WIA).

Martin has now been employed for over a month and is enjoying himself very much. And his new employer is also happy. By the way, so is the old employer, who had an obligation to accompany Martin to suitable work and had hired Puls for that reason.

So what are the positive factors that led to this great result?

Interplay between different parties

Anne-Marie: We had the opportunity to get to know Martin well, also in a financially responsible way. In the beginning he was not officially employed, so it didn't give any performance pressure yet mutually. It helps that the government, through the UWV, offers the possibility of using instruments such as work experience placement and secondment. The no-risk policy is also important to us, business-wise. But most important: the acquisition of a wonderful, pleasant and enthusiastic colleague. With great experience.

Martin: "Fortunately, I was supported by the home front. I am extremely happy with everyone who supported me in this and with my new employer. Especially I do not want to forget Gerda in this story, because without her help and warm support I would not have come this far!".

It remains an interplay between client, reintegration company, old and new employer and the use of instruments. Where the work at the old employer in the same industry no longer seemed appropriate due to limitations and an unfortunate confluence of circumstances, the work environment and the adapted branch package at Stokman turned out to be the solution.

Moral of the story?

Reintegration and finding sustainable suitable work is not easy, but with the right attitude and motivation of the employee and with the willingness of a new employer to look at possibilities, a lot is possible. Puls hopes to be able to support several people and hopes for employers who have this open and positive attitude