Employee and employer disagree on employee's reintegration options, something that does happen frequently. Still, it is something you would like to see resolved. So what are your options?

Expert Judgment

When the reintegration threatens to get stuck, because there is doubt or disagreement about the reintegration, employer and employee can request an expert opinion. This is an opinion by the UWV on the reintegration efforts made. The opinion can be requested by both the employer and the employee and different questions are discussed:

• suitability for one's own work;
• appropriateness of other or adapted work;
• reintegration efforts by the employer or employee.

When an employee requests an employment expert opinion, the cost for this is €100. This is a much lower amount than the cost paid by the employer for an expert opinion, which is €400.

Second opinion

Does the employee disagree with an opinion of the company doctor? Then the employee can ask the company doctor for the opinion of another doctor. This other doctor does not work for the same organization as the original company doctor. After consulting with the employee, the company doctor who gave the advice will engage another doctor as soon as possible. He shall - with the express consent of the employee - provide all relevant and necessary information to the second opinion doctor. The latter may gather more information himself if necessary.

The second opinion physician discusses his opinion with employee, after which the employee determines whether the opinion may be shared with the first physician. After the employee's consent, the first physician receives the consulted physician's recommendation. The first doctor then lets employee know, giving reasons, whether he accepts the advice and, if so, whether he does so in whole or in part.

Differences

One of the biggest differences between the expert opinion and the second opinion, is that an expert opinion can be requested by both the employee and the employer, while a second opinion can only be requested by the employee. The cost and payer also differ. Despite the fact that only an employee can request a second opinion, the employer is obliged to facilitate this and bear the cost.

The person performing the expert opinion and second opinion also differ. For an expert opinion, an insurance physician or Occupational Assessor from the UWV is called in. A second opinion is performed by another company doctor.

More information?

Want to know what Puls can do for you when the reintegration process is not going smoothly? Then check out our website or contact us. You can do this by phone, email or contact form. We are happy to help you make the reintegration process as smooth as possible.