A second opinion is primarily medical advice given to the primary company doctor. It concerns guidance and reintegration advice. It is advice that the primary company doctor can and may ignore. In the case of a second opinion, there is no communication with the employer. Therefore, no advice on work capacity is given.
The expert opinion arose from the need under civil law to have medical justification for whether or not to implement wage suspension. Based on this history, the expert opinion is a tool that informs both the employer and the employee. The expert opinion can be requested in four ways, only one of which is a medical assessment. In all cases, the expert opinion concerns the legal position and reintegration activities. There is always an insurance-related component. There is no right of blocking in the case of an expert opinion.
An expert opinion is intended to facilitate reintegration when it has stalled. An expert opinion may be requested in relation to:
- a dispute concerning fitness or unfitness for work;
- suitable work;
- reintegration efforts by the employer;
- reintegration efforts by the employee.
The expert opinion can be requested by the employer and the employee from the UWV. The applicant pays the costs. This remains as it was.
The second opinion does not replace the expert opinion. The second opinion may be requested following advice from the company doctor on absenteeism support, an occupational health examination (PAGO/PMO) and consultation with the company doctor on health issues related to work. The request for a second opinion can only come from the employee.