Business · Economy · 2 days ago
Dutch court rules marathon runner’s dismissal unlawful, awards over €60,000
A Dutch employee of travel agency Prijsvrij was on sick leave for serious eye problems but continued training and ran the Rotterdam Marathon on 13 April 2025.
The company fired him, saying his training and activities showed he was not unable to work, and said private investigators had watched him.
Doctors had said he remained unfit for work, and an eye clinic found he most likely had myasthenia gravis, a chronic muscle disease.
A court in The Hague ruled in September that the dismissal was unlawful.
It awarded him €10,070 and a further €50,000 in compensation, as well as nearly €3,000 in unpaid wages.
The case shows that taking part in sport while on sick leave does not by itself settle whether someone is fit to work.
No further steps in the case are stated.
A court in The Hague ruled that travel agency Prijsvrij unlawfully fired an employee who took part in the Rotterdam Marathon while on sick leave.
The court awarded him €10,070, an additional €50,000 in compensation and nearly €3,000 in back pay.
Prijsvrij said he had continued training and ran the marathon on 13 April 2025 despite being medically unfit for work.
The employee had reported serious eye problems, and doctors later found he was still unable to work.
The company also had private detectives monitor him, but the court did not accept its arguments for dismissal.
- Who
- A Dutch employee of travel agency Prijsvrij and his former employer.
- What
- The Hague court ruled that his dismissal was unlawful and awarded him more than €60,000.
- When
- The ruling came in September; the employee ran the marathon on 13 April 2025.
- Where
- The Hague, Netherlands; the marathon was in Rotterdam.
- Why
- Prijsvrij fired him after he continued training and ran a marathon while on sick leave. The court found the dismissal unlawful.
Prijsvrij
The employee
Reason for dismissal
Prijsvrij
The company said he continued training and ran the Rotterdam Marathon while on sick leave.
The employee
He said he was unable to work, and doctors found he was still unfit for work.
Dismissal
Prijsvrij
Prijsvrij fired him, citing his training and marathon participation.
The employee
His lawyer called the company’s threats unjustified and inappropriate; the court ruled the dismissal unlawful.
very active
numerous running sessions
unjustified and inappropriate
The employee started working for Prijsvrij.
He went on sick leave because of acute and serious eye problems.
He took part in the Rotterdam Marathon.
The court ruled that the dismissal was unlawful and awarded him compensation.
- Employer
- Prijsvrij
- Court
- The Hague
- Marathon date
- 13 April 2025
- Initial compensation
- €10,070
- Additional compensation
- €50,000
- Back pay
- Nearly €3,000
Sources
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