Uncategorized – Local Knowledge

Sick leave trumps legal holidays from 2024

Louise2023-12-14T13:38:15+00:00

As of 1st January 2024 an employee falling sick during their legal holidays can request to transform these days off into sick leave, if they provide a medical certificate from the first day of illness and inform the employer about their location. These holidays will then be usable at a later date. If the days cannot be taken by the end of the year, they will be paid to the employee, who will be able to use them in the following 24 months (at the point of use they will not be paid on these days as they will have already been paid but they are entitled to the time off). This is new : Previously, the days were paid to the employee, without them having the opportunity to use them the following year. As of 2024, the holidays will thus be paid at the end of the year rather than when they are actually taken by the employee. This new law covers legal holiday but also maternity leave, birth leave, adoption leave, accident at work leave, care leave and welcome leave (for foster parents). Your work regulations should be adapted accordingly, following the usual procedure. [...]

Sick leave trumps legal holidays from 2024Louise2023-12-14T13:38:15+00:00

Don’t forget to record employee expense claims in the payroll before mid January 2024

Louise2023-12-14T13:39:01+00:00

Remember that work-related expenses reimbursed by the employer to the employee (such as reimbursement of travel expenses, parking tickets, office supplies etc.) must appear on the employee's tax form 281.10 since the income year 2022 (for filing in 2023). They are considered as tax-free but need to be displayed for transparency and tax evasion prevention reasons. You can add these amounts every year in December or at the latest by mid-January. This is not about regular allowances that you may already provide and report through the payroll system but one off expenses that you process throughout the year.

Don’t forget to record employee expense claims in the payroll before mid January 2024Louise2023-12-14T13:39:01+00:00

Belgium Parliament adopts a vast package of new employment rules

Louise2022-10-24T16:07:27+00:00

There's a new employee right to disconnect. Organisations with more than 20 employees will need to update their work regulations before 31st January 2023, setting out the organisation's policy when it comes to using digital and communications tools outside of the regular working hours. Compressed hours have been a possibility for several years already, where you squeeze your 38 hours into 4 rather long days rather than 5. However, now a full-time employee is entitled to request compressed hours over 2 weeks rather than 1 (working more one week and less the second). This is specifically targeted at co-parenting situations but any employee can request it. As the employer you can refuse to grant the request but you will have to justify your refusal. Compressed hours can be reviewed and either renewed or stopped every 6 months. If you employ more than 20 staff you will have to set up a formal training plan for your team setting out their training objectives for the year(s) to come. This needs to be ready by end of March 2023. If you have between 10 and 19 employees you need to offer one day of training per [...]

Belgium Parliament adopts a vast package of new employment rulesLouise2022-10-24T16:07:27+00:00

Extension of validity of meal vouchers and eco-vouchers?

Diane Mboyo2021-02-06T15:41:41+00:00

Due to the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19), the Belgian government took exceptional and temporary measures and closed many shops and all restaurants. This has had a significant impact on employees' ability to spend meal vouchers, eco-vouchers, and gift vouchers. They have all now been extended by 6 months. This will be processed automatically on an employee's individual card. Source: viabelgium

Extension of validity of meal vouchers and eco-vouchers?Diane Mboyo2021-02-06T15:41:41+00:00

Maternity leave

Diane Mboyo2020-07-23T12:44:20+00:00

The law now grants fifteen weeks of maternity leave to all mothers, even those who had to stop work early. […]

Maternity leaveDiane Mboyo2020-07-23T12:44:20+00:00

Lunch vouchers and other cheques – extended validity

Louise2020-06-05T09:47:33+00:00

The royal decree published on 4 June confirms that the validity of any lunch vouchers, ecocheques or 'cheques-cadeaux' that were due to expire between March and June 2020 will be extended for a further 6 months. This will be automatic for all electronic cheques. For sports and culture cheques which would have expired on 30 September, the new expiry date will be 31 December 2020. Source: SD Worx

Lunch vouchers and other cheques – extended validityLouise2020-06-05T09:47:33+00:00

What do successful grads think you should study?
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What do successful grads think you should study?

admin2019-05-07T07:36:12+00:00

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What do successful grads think you should study?admin2019-05-07T07:36:12+00:00

Former student discusses success in the fashion industry
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Former student discusses success in the fashion industry

admin2019-02-09T16:33:18+00:00

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Former student discusses success in the fashion industryadmin2019-02-09T16:33:18+00:00

How do you best prepare for university?
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How do you best prepare for university?

admin2019-02-09T16:35:34+00:00

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How do you best prepare for university?admin2019-02-09T16:35:34+00:00

Business Expenses

admin2019-03-05T11:16:21+00:00

We are often asked by our clients starting out in business what they can and can't deduct as business expenses. There is no list in Belgium setting out what can and cannot be deducted. However, personal expenses are not deductible if they are nothing to do with work. To discourage the practice, the Belgian government introduced a 309% tax on any personal expenses booked as business expenses. Now we are informed by the Belgian newsletter Astuces & Conseils that the 309% tax will not apply to work dinners judged to be excessive although they may still end up being rejected as business expenses. In sum, you still need to be sure that you log your professional lunches and dinners so that you know who you dined with in case you are ever asked.

Business Expensesadmin2019-03-05T11:16:21+00:00