Belgium COVID-19 - Suspension of the notice period

The Belgian House of Representatives unanimously adopted this bill, suspending the notice period given by an employer during temporary unemployment due to coronavirus.

As a result, an employer can terminate the employment contract of an employee with the performance of a notice period during temporary unemployment due to COVID-19, but the notice period will not start as long as the employment contract is suspended for this reason. This suspension of the notice period will be applicable on all notice periods started as from 1 March 2020.

Note that this measure only applies to notice given by an employer. A notice given by an employee shall not result in the suspension of the notice period. The law becomes applicable from 22 June 2020 in the Belgian Official Gazette.

See our coronavirus (COVID-19) feature for more information generally on the possible legal implications of COVID-19.