Switching occupational health service provider? Note the three-month notice period!

Have you ever had a difficult absenteeism case file? And did you then discover that your occupational health service provider offers standardized support, so you weren’t really helped? You’re not the only one. If you want to switch to a provider that can save absenteeism costs through a personal approach, make sure to terminate your contract no later than September 30.

By Mirelle Klijs

The right support
Every employer is required by the Working Conditions Act to enter into a basic contract with an occupational health service. This is often linked to other insurances, so employers are not always aware of who their provider is. Until that first difficult case file. Then it turns out to be a party that works according to a standard protocol, where you don’t get the support you need. But how do you know if you’re with a good occupational health service provider?

Case manager as fixed point of contact
In our view, customization is a must to provide good, effective occupational health services. That starts with a fixed point of contact, the case manager, whose personal mobile phone number you receive from the very first contact. The case manager thinks along with you and advises on possibilities for a quick and sustainable return to work. This keeps absenteeism costs as low as possible.

Qualitative customized solutions
Because of the personal contact, the case manager knows the company and knows exactly what is going on with the absent employee—the story from both sides. This enables her to properly assess which solutions fit best. The company doctor is only involved when truly necessary. The case manager then ensures the right questions are asked, so you get a targeted answer you can actually use.

Unburdening and self-direction
Many occupational health service providers have a certain way of working, a standard protocol. At De Verzuimmakelaar, we believe it is important to offer customization per case file or department. We think along with our clients: what do they need? One manager may be very capable of taking the lead themselves, while another may never want to or be able to learn that. The employer never has to choose: complete unburdening or self-direction. It’s unburdening and self-direction. You can also phase out our services, as far as desired. This way, an organization can grow towards the Self-Direction Model (ERM).

No annual contract
Of course, you’d prefer not to have to deal with your occupational health service at all. But if you do need them, you want them to really be there for you, right? And then you want the help that fits, not some standardized process. If you want to switch providers, remember the three-month notice period. Oh, and if you choose De Verzuimmakelaar: we don’t have annual contracts, you can leave at any time. However, our client base has been growing for years…

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