updated: 20th of November 2020
You probably have a lot of questions and concerns in this confusing and rapidly changing period.
We have compiled the most frequently asked questions for you:
Is my office reachable during this period?
All offices are open and reachable during opening hours.
Please note: Wearing a mouth mask has been required in all our offices since 11 July 2020.
You are also requested to make an appointment at all times, so that we can make sure that not too many people are present in the office at the same time and that you can be helped immediately.
I (or members of my family) have had COVID-19 for the past 14 days. Can I go to work?
No, you are not allowed to go to work in such a case. In order to be able to start, there must not have been a case of infection in your family or household during the last 14 days, and no one may have shown symptoms of a possible infection.
In case of symptoms, always contact your family doctor and follow the measures he or she imposes.
You must also contact your office to discuss the situation.
Do I have to take extra measures to go to work?
For your health and safety and that of our customers, there are a number of additional health and safety measures for you and for our customers. You can find an overview of these measures via this link.
Your customers have also been informed about additional measures they have to take to guarantee your safety.
You can also go to www.veiligterugaanhetwerk.be for more detailed information and an instruction film in 6 languages.
You can ask a question or express a concern in the chat channel set up specially for that purpose.
Finally, we also distribute a safety video regularly via the social media about a particular aspect of the prevention measures. ‘Like’ our Facebook page to stay informed about our safety campaign.
Will I be issued protective equipment by Plus Home Services?
We provide extra protective equipment at the office; always make an appointment with an office employee to pick it up:
Mouth masks:
• The mouth masks are made of 65% polyester and 35% cotton. They consist of 3 layers and are washable up to 90°C (minimum 60°C).
A mouth mask without a replaceable filter has been chosen because we have an eye for the environment and sustainable work.
• The mouth masks are reusable and should be washed daily at a minimum of 60°C.
It is recommended to keep them clean, e.g. in an envelope, wrapped in paper, etc.
• If you have a contract for fewer than 32h, you will receive 2 mouth masks. For a contract of more than 32h you will receive 3 mouth masks.
Gloves:
• The gloves are reusable and should be cared for in the same way as washing your hands correctly: wash them thoroughly with soap and water and then dry with paper or a clean towel.
• We provide 2 pairs of reusable gloves that you always keep (don’t leave them with the customer). You always change to a clean pair of gloves with each new customer.
If desired, you can also pick up additional protective equipment at your office:
• 1 pack of 15 x 10 paper tissues;
• 1 pack of 150 – 200 paper tissues;
• 1 500 ml vial of hand sanitizer with pump. The dose per disinfection is 1 ‘pea’ of gel, to be applied to the palm of the hand and then rubbed in until the hands are dry.
Am I required to wear a mouth mask when I work for my customers?
Always wear a mouth mask upon arrival and upon departure, and in order to be able to work safely at your customers, the following conditions must be met:
1. The customer (+ family members) may not be present in the same workspace with you.
2. If it is not possible for the customer (+ family members) to stay in separate rooms, you must always keep a minimum distance of 1.5m from each other and both you and your customer (+ family members) must wear a mouth mask.
3. If it is not possible to stay in separate rooms and also not to observe1.5m distance everywhere, you are NOT allowed to work for this customer.
I have tested positive. What now? See also the overview via this link.
– I have tested positive and show symptoms of the virus/I’m sick.
In this case you are sick and therefore unable to work. Your doctor will issue you a medical certificate.
You will receive guaranteed wages.
– I have tested positive, but show no symptoms of the virus
In this case, you are not incapacitated for work and therefore not actually sick.
Your doctor will issue you a quarantine certificate and you will be entitled to Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure. Make sure you get the right certificate from your doctor, otherwise your entitlement to Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure will expire.
– I am in quarantine, but I then got sick.
In such a case, you fall ill during a period of Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure and you fall back on a sickness benefit from the mutual health insurance.
In this case, notify your mutual health insurance immediately and provide them with a medical certificate.
I am at work, but have to be quarantined preventively because I came into contact with a sick/infected person. What should I do?
A quarantine period is always prescribed by a doctor. This can occur after a positive test without symptoms, waiting for the result of a test, or after a close contact with a high risk of infection.
Your doctor will issue you a quarantine certificate and you will be entitled to Temporary Unemployment in case of Force Majeure. Make sure you get the right certificate from your doctor, otherwise your entitlement to Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure will expire.
I don’t feel safe in some situations with customers. Whom can I contact about it?
If there are problems with a customer (e.g. if the customer is a high-risk patient, demented, or does not comply with the security rules, etc.) contact your office immediately. Your office staff will then assess the situation on a case-by-case basis and with respect for everyone’s privacy.
You can also reach us via chat: our experts are available every working day between 9:00 am and 4:00 to answer all your questions live.
Go to www.plushomeservices.be or to www.veiligterugaanhetwerk.be and ask your question.
I am pregnant. Can I go to work during the coronavirus crisis?
Yes, but you also have to comply strictly with the safety rules of course.
Can I perform all tasks at the customer as before?
Yes, provided you comply strictly with the safety rules.
Here are a few tips:
• Always flush the toilet with the lid down to avoid any splashing.
• Don’t forget to wash your hands after changing the bed linen and towels.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after emptying the rubbish bin, even if you are wearing work gloves.
Please refer to our safety sheet which contains instructions on how to wash your hands properly.
• Always take your work gloves with you from your customer and store them somewhere safe. Your customer is not supposed to use your gloves.
I have a bus pass, but due to the current circumstances I travel to my customers by bike. Do I get compensation for this as well?
No, the existing regulations regarding your transport costs remain in force.
Can I start with new customers or replace a colleague?
Yes, but only on condition that these customers have also agreed to our safety regulations.
Can I refuse to replace a colleague or new customers because I don’t think it’s safe?
New customers and customers who want a replacement for a few weeks must also agree to our safety regulations. In this way you can always work in safe conditions.
If you decide not to work for these customers however, you cannot claim Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure, but will have to take your holidays.
I have resumed work partially. Do I have to apply again for Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure?
If you have already submitted the “C3.2 Employee Coronavirus” form to your payment institution (union or Auxiliary Fund) in March, it will remain valid until the end of your Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure, even if you resume your work partially. As a severely affected company, PHS has been granted permission by the NEO to continue to apply these rules until 31/12/2020.
If you still have questions about this matter, please contact your union or the Auxiliary Fund.
What about my pension entitlements, holiday pay and year-end bonus?
The periods of Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure are assimilated for your pension calculation, your holiday allowance and holiday entitlements.
In other words: during a period of Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure, you build up pension entitlements and the days of Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure from 01/03/2020 to 01/12/2020 are taken into account for the calculation of your holiday allowance and holiday entitlements.
The rules are different for the calculation of your year-end bonus: the days of Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure are counted only for the calculation of the 65 days of seniority you need as a home helper to be entitled to a year-end bonus, but not for the calculation of the bonus itself.
Do you have any questions about your unemployment benefit?
We advise you to inquire at your payment institution (ABVV, ACV, ACLVB or Auxiliary Fund for Unemployment Benefits). They can inform you perfectly about your specific situation.
I have reduced my professional activities under time credit or career interruption. Can I combine this benefit with benefits for Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure?
Yes, you may combine them.
You can also file for Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure within your adjusted work schedule, and the normal rules apply.
You are considered to be a voluntary part-time employee and are therefore entitled to part-time benefits/Temporary Unemployment.
We advise you to get full information from your payment institution (ABVV, ACV, ACLVB or the Auxiliary Fund for Unemployment Benefits). They can inform you perfectly about your specific situation.
Can I stop my period of career interruption/time credit early?
Stopping your career break or time credit early is not a right. This is only possible by mutual agreement with your employer and under certain conditions.
Your career break/time credit may not be terminated early for the sole purpose of going on Temporary Unemployment.
I still have holidays to take in 2020.
Make sure you take all your holidays before 31/12/2020.
If you do not, the government may ask for a refund of the days of Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure equal to the number of days of holidays you did not take in 2020.
After all, you already received holiday pay (and therefore pay for these days) in the spring.
So if you still have holidays for this year, please submit an application to your office as soon as possible.
I am struggling financially, what can I do?
The government has taken a number of measures to limit your personal expenses during the Coronavirus crisis.
You can consult an overview of these measures here or contact an employee of your office. They will then work with you to find a solution.
I am struggling psychologically, is there somewhere I can go?
The following hotlines are always available for mental help:
• 1712: violence hotline
• 1813: suicide hotline
• 106: tele hotline
I am going abroad or have just returned from abroad. Do I need to take extra measures?
You can always consult the most recent travel advice on www.diplomatie.belgium.be
However, avoid travelling to destinations in Orange Code. Going to an area that is already in Red Code on departure is forbidden anyway. In the latter case, you will not be entitled to a benefit during your mandatory quarantine.
If you do return from an Orange or Red zone (marked red after your departure), it is recommended and mandatory to see a doctor respectively in order to determine which preventive measures are appropriate.
If the doctor decides that a quarantine period is advisable or mandatory, be sure to ask him or her for a quarantine certificate. Don’t forget to notify your office in time so that they too can take the necessary measures to put your schedule in order.
My children’s crèche or school is closing temporarily due to the Coronavirus crisis
If you have to take a holiday between 1 October and 31 December 2020 to look after a child as a result of the closure of childcare, school or shelter for disabled persons due to Coronavirus measures, you can appeal to the system of Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure for Child Care.
If necessary, inform your office immediately and have the document “TWO_ certificate of closure due to the Coronavirus” completed and signed by the crèche or school. Then complete and countersign the certificate yourself and deliver it to your office as soon as possible. You cannot claim Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure for Childcare without a certificate.
My municipality, city or neighbourhood has decided to close the schools temporarily as a measure to reduce Coronavirus infections, and there is no shelter provided by the school.
Local authorities and administrations may decide to close schools temporarily in a certain area because of a high number of infections or an increased risk.
This was already the case for example in Mouscron and Pecq from 26/10/2020 until the autumn holidays.
Of course, in the first instance we ask you to find a solution for the children yourself and to stay at work as long as possible.
However, if you absolutely cannot find a solution, you can appeal to Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure for School Closure.
If necessary, inform your office immediately and have the document “TWO_ certificate of closure due to the Coronavirus” completed and signed by the crèche or school. Then complete and countersign the certificate yourself and deliver it to your office as soon as possible. You cannot claim Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure for Childcare without a certificate.
My child’s school is closing temporarily or my child’s class is temporarily not allowed to attend school as a measure to reduce Corona infections and there is no shelter provided by the school.
Several schools are temporarily closing due to lack of teachers or too many infected students. This is the case in particular in several schools in Limburg and one school in Ghent.
In most cases, schools will provide the necessary shelter, and are required to do so.
In some cases, however, they can no longer provide this service and therefore children can no longer attend school.
Of course, in the first instance we ask you to find a solution for the children yourself and to stay at work as long as possible.
However, if you absolutely cannot find a solution, you can appeal to Temporary Unemployment Force Majeure because of School Closure.
If necessary, inform your office immediately and have the document “TWO_ certificate of closure due to the Coronavirus” completed and signed by the crèche or school. Then complete and countersign the certificate yourself and deliver it to your office as soon as possible. You cannot claim Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure for Childcare without a certificate.
Didn’t find an answer to your question? No problem. You can always visit our offices between 8:30 am and 1:00 pm and 3:30 and 5:00 pm. Make sure you make an appointment first! You can also reach our live chat every work day, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm via www.phservices.be