Dutch Court Rules Against Company for Firing Employee on Sick Leave — image accompanying Marathon Handbook's report. Image accompanying Marathon Handbook’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
A Dutch court ruled that Prijsvrij wrongly fired an employee for running a marathon while on sick leave. The employee, diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, completed the marathon in 3:27:58. The court found no deception and criticized the company's surveillance.
The Court of Appeal in The Hague upheld a previous decision, ordering Prijsvrij to pay €50,000 in compensation. The ruling highlighted the company's disproportionate surveillance and the employee's honesty about his training. The total compensation reached over €60,000. Read more culture coverage.
The employee's contract was set to end in June 2025, and the court calculated lost income at €4,550. The €50,000 compensation reflected the company's serious misconduct and the employee's chronic illness. Additional payments included €8,250 for improper termination and €4,421 for appeal costs. Related: 2026 Chicago Marathon Viewing Options Detailed.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
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Questions about this report
What should runners know about Dutch Court Rules Against Company for Firing Employee on Sick Leave?
Marathon Handbook reports on a Dutch court ruling in favor of a fired employee. A Dutch court ruled that Prijsvrij wrongly fired an employee for running a marathon while on sick leave. The employee, diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, completed the marathon in 3:27:58. The court found no deception and criticized the company's surveillance.
When did Runner World publish this culture brief?
Runner World published this brief on October 7, 2026. The underlying Marathon Handbook report was dated October 7, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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