What kind of volunteer work can you do during track 2?

During a track 2 reintegration process, you may do volunteer work, provided it falls within the capacity limits established by the occupational health physician and your employer is informed. Volunteer work can be a valuable addition to your reintegration, as it provides structure, helps restore your work rhythm, and yields new skills and contacts. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about volunteer work during a track 2 reintegration process.

What counts as volunteer work during a track 2 process?

Volunteer work during a track 2 process is any unpaid activity you perform on a regular basis for an organization, foundation, or association. It involves work outside of an employment relationship, through which you contribute to a social purpose. Think of activities at a food bank, sports club, community center, or care facility.

Important to know: track 2 reintegration begins while the employment contract is still in effect. It is not a consequence of dismissal, but a reintegration obligation during continued wage payment due to illness. Volunteer work falls within that framework as an “permitted activity” only if it aligns with your functional capabilities as established by the occupational health physician.

Activities that do not count as volunteer work include:

• Informal caregiving for family members (unless organized through an institution)
• Activities in which you effectively perform paid work without compensation
• One-off tasks with no recurring or structured nature

What types of volunteer work are suitable for track 2?

The types of volunteer work that fit within a track 2 process are broad, but must align with your physical and mental capacity as well as the career direction you want to pursue. It is not a casual way to fill time, but a deliberate step in your reintegration toward new employment.

Some examples that align well with a track 2 process:

• Administrative or communications work for a foundation or nonprofit organization
• Coaching or mentoring of young people, older adults, or vulnerable groups
• Technical or hands-on work at a community center, thrift store, or sports club
• Event organization or project-based work for charitable causes
• Digital support such as website management or social media for small organizations

Where possible, choose volunteer work that connects to your previous work experience or to the sector you want to move into. This way, you simultaneously build a relevant network and an up-to-date résumé.

Why can volunteer work help you find new employment?

Volunteer work during reintegration helps you find new employment because it restores your work rhythm, keeps your skills current, and builds an active network. For employers, demonstrable activity during a period of illness is a positive signal: it shows that you are motivated and continuing to move forward.

Specifically, volunteer work during a track 2 process offers the following benefits:

1. Structure and routine that support the recovery process
2. Current work experience that you can include on your résumé
3. Networking opportunities that may lead to paid employment
4. Self-confidence gained from seeing that you are able to contribute again
5. Insight into new sectors or roles you had not previously considered

Volunteer work is therefore not a way to pass the time, but an active part of your search for new professional fulfillment. This aligns seamlessly with the track 2 reintegration approach, which focuses on maximizing your opportunities in the labor market.

How many hours of volunteer work are permitted during track 2?

There is no legally established maximum number of hours for volunteer work during a track 2 process. The limit is determined by your capacity as established by the occupational health physician. The number of hours you spend on volunteer work must not exceed what you can handle within the context of your reintegration.

In practice, the following principle applies: if you are able to do more hours of volunteer work than your reintegration plan indicates, this signals that your capacity is greater than assumed. This may have consequences for the UWV’s assessment of your reintegration efforts. The UWV evaluates retrospectively, at the time of the WIA application after 104 weeks, whether the efforts were sufficient. A significant discrepancy between your volunteer work and your stated capacity may raise questions.

Always discuss the number of hours in advance with your occupational health physician and your employer. Transparency is essential here.

How do you choose the right volunteer work for your situation?

You choose the right volunteer work by weighing three factors against one another: your capacity, your career goals, and the practical requirements of your reintegration plan. Volunteer work that aligns with all three will strengthen your process the most.

Ask yourself the following questions when making a choice:

• Does the activity match my current physical and mental capabilities?
• Does it bring me closer to the sector or role I want to move into?
• Can I combine the organization and schedule with my reintegration commitments?
• Is the organization willing to provide a reference or written confirmation for my résumé?

Also discuss your choice with your reintegration coach. A good coach will help you use volunteer work strategically as part of your personal reintegration plan, rather than as a standalone activity alongside it.

What are the risks of volunteer work during reintegration?

The greatest risks of volunteer work during track 2 reintegration are overexertion, ambiguity about your status, and potential complications during the WIA assessment. If volunteer work slows your recovery or has not been communicated transparently, it can harm your process rather than strengthen it.

Specific risks to be aware of:

• Overexertion: Volunteer work on top of reintegration activities can be too much, especially in the early stages of recovery
• Lack of clarity for the employer: If your employer is not informed, this can lead to misunderstandings about your availability and capacity
• Risk of a wage sanction: If the UWV determines during the WIA assessment that reintegration efforts were insufficient, continued wage payment may be extended by up to 52 weeks. Volunteer work that was not in line with the reintegration plan may play a role in that determination
• Incorrect expectations: Volunteer work is not a substitute for paid employment and does not count as a formal reintegration effort

Always ensure that you discuss your volunteer work with both your occupational health physician and your employer, and document any agreements in writing.

How UFIND supports volunteer work and track 2 reintegration

UFIND guides employees and employers through the complete track 2 process, from the first steps following the first-year evaluation through to a successful placement outside the organization. Volunteer work can play a deliberate and strategic role in that process, provided it is properly integrated.

What UFIND offers in this regard:

• A tailored program that aligns with each employee’s unique situation
• Personal guidance from a dedicated coach throughout the entire process
• Advice on using volunteer work strategically as part of the career development plan
• Knowledge of the labor market through a team with experience in both reintegration and recruitment
• Support in complex situations, even when placement initially appears difficult

Would you like to know how UFIND can support you or your employee through a track 2 process? Get in touch for a no-obligation consultation.

Related Articles

• What do people expect from track 2 and what is the reality?
• What is the impact of the second pillar on your pension accrual?
• Track 2 for Self-Employed Professionals: Do the Same Rules Apply?
• Can you receive a WIA benefit while participating in track 2?
• How does Track 2 relate to a work permit in the Netherlands?