Federgon, together with the Belgian federal Social Affairs Minister Frank Vandenbroucke announced a partnership to help the long-term sick return to work.

In addition to the Return to Work fund, which launched on 1 April, Federgon launched the guide me platform. Guide me bundles all relevant private services that can provide support throughout all the important moments of a career, such as guidance to work after a period of illness or finding a new challenge after dismissal.

At the RTW fund, persons recognised as unfit for work can apply for a €1,800 voucher and may use it to seek guidance from recognised private service providers. The guide me platform pools its members' expertise on guidance and makes it readily accessible.

Ann Cattelain, CEO of Federgon, said, "Over the past decades, our members have built up valuable expertise in guiding people throughout all stages of their lives and careers. Too often, the emphasis is on what people can no longer do, rather than on what is still possible. Our members start guidance from a very different mindset.”

“They are the experts in helping people find the desire to get back to work with their talent,” Cattelain said. “That way, the right talent ends up in the right place again. This benefits individuals who find their place again, but also our labour market and our society as a whole."

The RTW fund is related with terminations of employment contracts due to medical force majeure. If such a dismissal happens due to the employer initiating the termination, then the employer is required to contribute €1,800 to the RTW fund. 

Until 1 April 2025, only employees facing such termination can apply to the fund. They can apply for a €1,800 voucher to seek guidance from a government-recognized private service provider in their job search. From 1 April 2025, individuals who have been unable to work due to long-term illness for over a year can also access the RTW-fund.

Frank Vandenbroucke, minister of social affairs, said," From the outset of my tenure, it became evident to me that the success of Return to Work policy hinges upon collaboration and partnership. Labour market counselling involves multiple stakeholders, each playing a crucial role. While this complexity can present challenges in finding the right path back to work, I firmly believe that the more pathways we create, the more talent we can reintegrate into our society. The RTW fund serves as one of these pathways."

The guide me platform, developed with Belgian fintech firm Monizze, focuses on support in outplacement, wellbeing, and career guidance.