Coronavirus: what about teleworking from 18 February?

As announced at the Consultative Committee of 11 February 2022, teleworking is recommended from 18 February 2022.

A Royal Decree of 17 February 2022 specifies that this will be the case:

• in all enterprises, associations and services, whatever their size
• for all persons employed there, regardless of the nature of their employment relationship

unless this is impossible due to the nature of the position, or the continuity of the business, the activities or the services.

As a result of this relaxation, the following will no longer apply from 18 February 2022:

• the obligation, for the employer, to provide persons working in his establishment unit(s), regardless of the nature of their employment relationship, who cannot telework with a certificate or any other proof confirming the necessity of their presence at the workplace;
• the obligation, for the employer, to organise return to work moments;
• the obligation, for the employer, to submit the monthly teleworking declaration;
• the prohibition, for companies, to organize team buildings (requiring physical presence) and company events at the workplace.

On the other hand, the following obligations remain applicable:

• teleworking must be carried out in accordance with existing collective labour agreements and conventions;
• the appropriate precautionary measures should be taken to ensure compliance with the rules of social distancing and a maximum level of protection.

Source: Royal Decree of 17 February 2022 amending the Royal Decree of 28 October 2021 on the administrative police measures necessary to prevent or limit the public health consequences of the declared epidemic emergency situation concerning the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, Belgian Official Gazette of 17 February 2022.