What is 1st track reintegration?

Reintegration of the 1st track means that an employee, during illness, is guided to appropriate work within their own organization. In addition, the first focus is on returning to your own position — with or without adjustments. If that is not possible, we will look for other work within the company. Reintegration of the 1st track is a legal obligation under the Gatekeeper Improvement Act.

What exactly does 1st track reintegration mean?

Reintegration of the first track starts immediately when you report sick. The employer reports the employee ill to the occupational health service or company doctor, after which the following occurs:

1. Week 6: The company doctor suggests a problem analysis on (what else can the employee do?).
2. Week 8: Employer and employee jointly create a Plan of Action.
3. Up to week 52: Reintegration is carried out and regularly evaluated.

The reintegration takes place in the following order:

• First step: Return to your own position.
• Second step: Return to your own position with adjustments (working hours, tasks, workplace).
• Third step: Reintegration into another appropriate position within the organization.

Is 1st track reintegration mandatory?

Yes. Both employer and employee have from the first day of illness the duty to actively participate in reintegration. This obligation stems from the Gatekeeper Improvement Act.

Important obligations:

• The employer must call in an occupational health service or company doctor in good time.
• There must be a concrete plan with targeted steps.
• The employer and employee must regularly evaluate whether adjustments are necessary.

How long does a 1st track route take?

A route within the first track runs up to a maximum of the end of the first year of illness (week 52). In week 42 the employee must have been reported ill to the UWV, regardless of whether track 2 is already underway.

Are you unsure about the feasibility of returning? Then a employment expert research are used to objectively assess what is possible within the organization.

When do you get help with 1st track?

Although 1st track reintegration is often arranged internally, there are situations where external help is valuable:

• If there is a disagreement between employer and employee about the reintegration options
• When the route gets stuck or delayed
• As a preventive measure to prevent wage sanctions from the UWV
• When there is insufficient internal expertise

A specialized reintegration agency can provide support in preparing documents, having conversations and preventing errors that could lead to wage sanctions.

📌 Did you know that most wage sanctions by the UWV result from errors in Track 1?

Summary: what is 1st track reintegration?

• Goal: Return to work within your own organization
• Gradient: First own work → adapted work → other position
• Start: From day 1 of illness
• Mandatory actions: Problem analysis (week 6), Action Plan (week 8), evaluations
• Duration: Up to week 52
• UWV sick report: Mandatory in week 42
• Please note: The most common reason for wage sanctions is failed track 1

Looking for guidance with a track 2 process?

Care4Careers supports employers and employees with expert guidance, customized solutions and complete file structure. Feel free to contact us.

‍