Sick leave as a flexi-jobber: what are your rights and should you cancel your shift?

You are signed up for a shift tonight, but you are not feeling well. Can you simply not show up? Do you lose your pay? And what if you have already been ill for a few days – do you have to notify your employer? As a flexi-jobber you have the same employment law protection as any other employee in Belgium, but because flexi-jobs are often shorter and more flexible, questions arise about exactly what you need to do when you fall ill.

What are your rights as a flexi-jobber when you are ill?

As a flexi-jobber you essentially have the same rights as a regular employee when you fall ill. That means you are protected by Belgian employment legislation, including the right to sick leave and guaranteed salary.

Key rights:

• You cannot be dismissed because you are ill
• You are entitled to guaranteed salary during the first days of your illness
• Your employer cannot expect you to work if you are unfit for work
• You must provide a doctor's certificate from the first day of illness if your employer requests it

Should you cancel your shift if you are ill?

Yes, absolutely. As a flexi-jobber you are required to notify your employer as soon as possible when you are ill and unable to work. This applies to every scheduled shift, whether it starts in a few hours or in a few days.

How do you do this correctly?

• Notify your employer immediately – preferably by phone
• Do this as soon as possible – ideally before your shift starts
• Provide a doctor's certificate – ask your GP for one right away
• Keep communication clear – indicate when you expect to be able to work again

What happens if you don't notify anyone?

If you fail to show up for your shift without notifying anyone, this can be considered unjustified absence. Your employer can then withhold your pay, terminate your contract, or lower your score on the platform.

Are you entitled to guaranteed salary as a flexi-jobber?

Yes, but this depends on your seniority with your employer. The guaranteed salary is the amount your employer must continue to pay during your illness, before the health insurance fund takes over.

How much guaranteed salary do you receive?

• Less than 1 month of seniority: 7 days of guaranteed salary
• 1 to 3 months of seniority: 14 days of guaranteed salary
• 3 to 6 months of seniority: 21 days of guaranteed salary
• More than 6 months of seniority: 28 days of guaranteed salary

Because flexi-jobs are often short-term contracts (per shift or per day, for example), you usually build up little seniority with a single employer. That means you will most likely receive a maximum of 7 days of guaranteed salary if you fall ill.

New rules 2026: the 8-week relapse period

Since 1 January 2026 there has been an important change to the rules on relapse (falling ill again). Previously, the relapse period was only 14 days, but it has now been extended to 8 weeks.

What does this mean?

If you have been ill and then return to work, but fall ill again within 8 weeks with the same condition, this is considered one continuous illness. You then have no new entitlement to guaranteed salary – instead, the health insurance fund takes over immediately.

Practical example:

• You are ill with the flu for 5 days and receive guaranteed salary
• You work for 3 weeks
• You fall ill again with the flu

Because you fall ill again within 8 weeks with the same condition, you do not receive new guaranteed salary from your employer. The health insurance fund pays your sickness benefit from day 1.

Can you do a flexi-job while on sick leave from your main job?

This question often comes up for people who have a permanent job and do flexi-jobs on the side. Suppose you are on sick leave from your main job (full-time position), but you feel well enough to work a shift as a flexi-jobber. Is that allowed?

The answer: yes, but with conditions.

In principle, you may carry out a flexi-job during sick leave from your main job, provided that:

• Your doctor gives permission – your doctor must confirm that the flexi-job does not hinder your recovery
• The advisory physician of your health insurance fund gives approval (if you receive sickness benefits)
• The work suits your condition – if you are off sick with back pain, you cannot lift heavy boxes

You can find more information about combining flexi-jobs with other jobs on the AnyShift website.

What if you are regularly ill as a flexi-jobber?

Employers value reliability. If you regularly cancel shifts due to illness, this can affect your reputation and score on platforms such as AnyShift. Employers may be less likely to book you again if you cancel often.

Tips to protect your reputation:

• Be honest: don't fake illness – this can lead to dismissal and a poor score
• Communicate quickly: the sooner you cancel, the more time the employer has
• Always provide a doctor's certificate: this shows your illness is legitimate
• Be proactive: if you notice you are ill more often, consider whether you are taking on too many shifts

Want to know more about how the scoring system works for flexi-jobs? Check the frequently asked questions on AnyShift.

What if your employer pressures you to work anyway?

Some flexi-jobbers feel pressure to come to work anyway, even when they are ill. This may be because they are afraid of losing their shift or getting a bad reputation.

Important to know:

• Your employer cannot force you to work if you are unfit for work
• You have the right to stay home with a doctor's certificate
• If your employer puts you under pressure or threatens dismissal, this can be considered an abuse of employment law

For more information about your rights as a flexi-jobber, visit all blogs on AnyShift.

Checklist: what do you do when you are ill?

• Step 1: Do you feel too ill to work? Stay home
• Step 2: Notify your employer as soon as possible (by phone, via the app, or by email)
• Step 3: Go to your GP and ask for a doctor's certificate
• Step 4: Send the certificate to your employer (by email, post, or via the platform)
• Step 5: Stay in touch with your employer about your recovery and when you will be available again
• Step 6: If you fall ill again within 8 weeks with the same condition, notify your employer again

Want more practical tips on how to flexi-job successfully? Check out the student jobs page for useful info.

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Conclusion: knowing your rights matters

Being ill as a flexi-jobber is not a disaster, but it is important to know your rights and obligations. You cannot be forced to work if you are unfit for work, but you must notify your employer in time and provide a doctor's certificate.

With the new 8-week rule that has applied since January 2026, it is extra important to recover fully after an illness before going back to work. That way you avoid falling ill again quickly and becoming dependent on the health insurance fund instead of guaranteed salary.

Whether you are a student, someone earning extra income, or a pensioner: know your rights, communicate openly with your employer, and take good care of yourself. That is how you build a positive reputation as a reliable flexi-jobber.

You can find more information about all flexi-job and student job locations where you can get started on the AnyShift website.

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