What are compensatory days off (ADV days)?

Everything you need to know

Compensatory days off (also known as ADV days, from the Dutch Arbeidsduurverkorting-dagen) are additional days off you can receive if you work a longer week than usual. In Belgium, this is common in sectors where employees work more than the standard 38 hours a week. These extra hours worked are compensated with ADV days, which are added to your statutory vacation days.

But how does it actually work? In this article, we explain everything about compensatory days off: when you're entitled to them, how they're calculated, and what happens if you resign.

What exactly are compensatory days off?

ADV stands for "Arbeidsduurverkorting," which means working-time reduction. This refers to working more hours per week than a regular workweek (for example, 40 hours instead of 38 hours). The extra hours worked are compensated with compensatory days off, allowing you to still get more free time. These days off are added to your regular vacation days.

The idea is to balance the longer workweek with additional rest. Compensatory days off are designed to provide employees with more flexibility and free time.

Compensatory days vs. vacation days: what's the difference?

• Statutory vacation days: These are the days you're entitled to by law to take vacation, typically 20 days per year for a full-time 5-day workweek.
• Compensatory days off (ADV days): These are additional days off you get as compensation for working a longer workweek than usual. ADV days are are a type of "bonus" on top of your vacation days.

When are you entitled to compensatory days off?

You are entitled to compensatory days off if you work in a sector where a longer workweek is standard (via a sectoral collective labor agreement – CLA), for example, 40 hours per week instead of 38 hours. However, it also depends on any company-level CLA, the work regulations in your company, and your employment contract. Not everyone is entitled to ADV days. These are the main conditions:

1. Longer workweek: If your workweek is longer than 38 hours, for example, 40 hours, you can receive compensatory days off.
2. CLA agreements: ADV days are often specified in CLAs, so not all employers offer them. They are common in sectors such as the metal industry, construction, logistics, and public services.
3. Full-time or part-time: Even if you work part-time, you may be entitled to compensatory days off. In that case, you would receive a proportionate amount of days compared to full-time employees.

How many compensatory days off do you get?

The number of compensatory days off depends on how long your workweek is and the CLA agreements in your sector or company. A common arrangement is:

• 40-hour workweek: If you work 40 hours but your sector or employer has agreed that you only need to work 38 hours per week, the extra 2 hours per week are compensated with compensatory days off. This means you could get 12 ADV days per year.

The exact calculation of ADV days may vary. It’s important to check your CLA, work regulations, or employment contract to know exactly how many compensatory days off you get.

What happens to your ADV days if you resign?

If you resign or leave the company, you may want to know what happens to your compensatory days off. There are several possibilities:

• Taking ADV days before you leave: In many cases, you can take your accrued ADV days before your last working day. Be sure to discuss this with your employer well in advance to schedule the days.
• Payment for ADV days: If you haven’t been able to take your accrued ADV days, they are often paid out. The payment is based on your regular daily wage.
• Pro-rata payment if resigning mid-year: If you resign before the end of the year, you’ll receive a proportional amount of ADV days. For example, if you would get 12 ADV days per year but leave the company in June, you would receive 6 days paid out or credited.

Which sectors most commonly offer ADV days?

Compensatory days off are particularly common in sectors where employees often work more than 38 hours a week. These include:

🔧 Metal and engineering sector
🏗️ Construction sector
🚚 Transport and logistics
🏛️ Public services

But ADV days can also appear in other sectors and companies, sometimes as part of attractive employee benefits.

Useful tips for using ADV days

1. Check your CLA, work regulations, or contract: Make sure you know how many compensatory days off you have and how they are calculated.
2. Plan your ADV days in advance: There are often rules for taking your ADV days, such as one per month or a maximum of two consecutive days. It’s helpful to plan them early.
3. Discuss with your employer: ADV days can help you achieve a better work-life balance. Talk with your employer about how and when you can take these days off.