Topic: The Netherlands

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Economic measures taken by the Dutch government in light of the COVID-19 outbreak

Global Workplace InsiderPhoto of Christine DanielsBy Maartje Govaert and Christine Daniels on Posted in Coronavirus, General, The Netherlands
On 17 March 2020 the Dutch government announced exceptional economic measures. The aim is to protect jobs and incomes and to address the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak on self-employed professionals, SME-entrepreneurs and large companies. The measures aim to ensure that companies can continue to pay their staff, bridge the gap for self-employed workers and … Continue reading

Germany: An Employer’s duties dealing with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Q&A

Photo of Cornelia MarquardtBy Cornelia Marquardt on Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, France, General, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, The Netherlands, UK
COVID-19 is spreading across the world and companies everywhere are faced with its challenges. In circumstances where a COVID-19 case impacts your German workplace we recommend close coordination with the public health authority on how to proceed. In doing so – especially against a possible liability for illness or even death – it will show … Continue reading

The Balanced Labour Market Act (Wet arbeidsmarkt in balans: WAB) – expected to come into force January 1, 2020

Global Workplace InsiderBy Maartje Govaert on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
Today the Dutch Senate voted in favour of the legislative proposal. The WAB is therefore likely to enter into force on 1 January 2020. The effect for employers The proposed changes to the current Dutch Labour and Employment Laws are expected to have an impact on many types of employment contracts. The main principle of … Continue reading

Artificial Intelligence: The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the need for improved employee representation

Photo of Thomas TimmermansBy Thomas Timmermans on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
Traditional labour law is facing new challenges with the upcoming availability of flexible employment platforms (e.g. Uber/Takeaway/Deliveroo/Helpling). Society demands flexible working hours, flexible contracts and most employees are now – or in the near future – required to constantly review their skills to remain employed. It follows from research performed by the World Economic Forum … Continue reading

Subcontracting of workers under the Terms of Employment Posted Workers in the European Union Act (Wet arbeidsvoorwaarden gedetacheerde werknemers in de Europese Unie)

Photo of Thomas TimmermansBy Thomas Timmermans on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
The Posted Workers Directive (Directive 96/71/EC and Directive 2014/67/EU) (the Posted Workers Directive) applies where a company (the Service Provider) in one EU member state, has a contract to provide services to an undertaking in another member state and pursuant to that contract posts workers (Workers) to that other member state. The Posted Workers Directive … Continue reading

Closing down a business in the Netherlands – dealing with sick employees

Photo of Thomas TimmermansBy Thomas Timmermans on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
Many international companies may have a branch or legal entity in the Netherlands. If such a company decides to close down its Dutch business, it needs to take actions regarding its assets, its (contractual) obligations , and its employees. If there is no possibility of finding suitable alternative employment for employees within the group, the … Continue reading

Changes to the Working Conditions Act – expected to come into force 1 July 2017

Global Workplace InsiderPhoto of Thomas TimmermansBy Maartje Govaert and Thomas Timmermans on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
Proposed changes to the current Working Conditions Act (Arbeidsomstandighedenwet) (the Act) are expected to have a direct impact on all companies in the Netherlands. The changes will mainly impact on the current relationship with the occupational health & safety service provider (Arbodienstverlener); existing policies in relation to sickness prevention; and conditions that apply to the … Continue reading

Intra-Corporate Transfer Directive implemented in the Netherlands

Photo of Thomas TimmermansPhoto of Saskia de SchutterBy Thomas Timmermans and Saskia de Schutter on Posted in Europe, General, The Netherlands
On November 29, 2016 the Dutch Royal Decree (the Decree) which implements the European Intra-Corporate Transfer Directive (2014/66/EU) (the Directive), came into force. The Directive applies to secondments of non-EU citizens satisfying certain conditions whose main place of residence is outside the EU (Expats) to an EU Member State. The Directive simplifies the admission procedure … Continue reading

Judgment on the qualification of a “payroll company” and a “temporary agency contract”

Photo of Thomas TimmermansBy Thomas Timmermans on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
On 4 November 2016, the Supreme Court in the Netherlands issued an important judgment  that will impact on the use of payroll companies. In this judgment, the Supreme Court held that no “allocation function” is needed to qualify as a temporary employment agency contract (uitzendovereenkomst). This e-Alert provides a summary of the judgment and further background … Continue reading

Update: Assessment of Employment Relationships (Deregulation) Act (DBA)

Photo of Thomas TimmermansBy Thomas Timmermans on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
Working with independent contractors/freelancers? In May 2016, we discussed https://www.globalworkplaceinsider.com/2016/05/var-declaration-replaced-by-model-agreements-as-of-may-1-2016/ the abolition of the VAR-declaration as a result of the implementation of the Assessment of Employment Relationships (Deregulation) Act (Wet deregulering beoordeling arbeidsrelaties) (the Act) which came into force on 1 May 2016. The first year is intended as a transitional period, during which law enforcement … Continue reading

The Foreign Nationals Employment Act

Photo of Thomas TimmermansPhoto of Saskia de SchutterBy Thomas Timmermans and Saskia de Schutter on Posted in General, The Netherlands
Financial risks when using foreign workers in the Netherlands Hiring contractors or temporary employment agencies that employ foreign workers in the Netherlands, can create financial risks of which you should be aware. If foreign workers carry out activities for the benefit of your business, you should comply with legal obligations under the Foreign Nationals Employment … Continue reading

New Dutch Legislation | Working after state pension age Act

Photo of Saskia de SchutterBy Saskia de Schutter and Maartje Govaert on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
Do you wish to keep valuable employees who are about to retire, but are you afraid termination will be difficult if they remain employed? As of this year, risks related to hiring employees who have reached the state pension age (an Older Employee) are considerably reduced, e.g. the duration of the prohibition to terminate and … Continue reading

VAR-declaration replaced by model agreements as of May 1, 2016

Photo of Thomas TimmermansBy Thomas Timmermans and Maartje Govaert on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
As of May 1, 2016, the VAR-declaration (Verklaring Arbeidsrelatie) will be replaced by model agreements approved by the Dutch Tax Authorities for each sector or professional field. This is due to the implementation of the Assessment of Employment Relationships (Deregulation) Act (Wet deregulering beoordeling arbeidsrelaties) (the Act). As a result, companies run the risk additional … Continue reading

Dutch senate passes Act House for whistleblowers

Global Workplace InsiderBy Annette van Beers and Maartje Govaert on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands, Whistleblowing
On 1 March 2016, the Dutch senate adopted the Act House for whistleblowers (the Act). The Act introduces an independent and impartial governmental institution that investigates wrongdoing and assists employees in disclosure proceedings: the House for Whistleblowers. In addition, the proposal introduces several rules to protect whistleblowers. The Act is expected to come into force … Continue reading

Flexible Working Act: Stronger position for employees who want to work from home

Global Workplace InsiderBy Maartje Govaert and Annette van Beers on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
On 14 April 2015, the Dutch Senate has accepted the Flexible Working Act, allowing employees of companies in the Netherlands more flexibility in respect of working hours and working from home. With effect from 1 January 2016, employees will be able to ask not only for changes to the number of hours they work, but also changes … Continue reading

Legislative proposal: Dutch Financial Undertakings (Remuneration Policy) Act

Global Workplace InsiderBy Maartje Govaert and Annette van Beers on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
Dutch Financial Undertakings (Remuneration Policy) Act A bill in respect of remuneration in the Dutch financial sector is currently being debated in the senate: the Dutch Financial Undertakings (Remuneration Policy) Act (Wet beloningsbeleid financiële ondernemingen; the Act). The proposed rules apply to all financial undertakings that are regulated by the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet … Continue reading

Whistleblower protection in the Netherlands: House for Whistleblowers

Photo of Henry PalmenBy Henry Palmen on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands, Whistleblowing
Introduction The legislative proposal known as ‘House for Whistleblowers’ is pending in the Netherlands. The proposal introduces an independent and impartial governmental institution that investigates wrongdoing and assists employees in disclosure proceedings: the House for Whistleblowers. In addition, the proposal introduces several rules to protect whistleblowers. The situation under current Dutch law and under the … Continue reading

Monitoring social media pays off

Global Workplace InsiderBy Annette van Beers on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
WhatsApp messages in which an employee expresses his opinion about a superior in an offensive manner can be sufficient reason for the employee’s instant dismissal. For employers, therefore, monitoring social media use by their employees pays off, and the importance of a good social media policy is ever increasing. In a recent case, a colleague … Continue reading

Paternity leave for fathers extended

Photo of Henry PalmenBy Henry Palmen on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
The Dutch government recently decided to extend paternity leave arrangements for fathers. This gives the father the opportunity to spend a full working week with his child, which (according to a study by the OECD) would increase his involvement in the raising and care of the child. It is important for employers to be prepared … Continue reading

Is final discharge really final?

Global Workplace InsiderBy Maartje Govaert and Annette van Beers on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
Introduction When an employer and an employee come to an agreement regarding the termination of an employment contract, the terms and conditions of such termination will be laid down in a settlement agreement. According to section 7:900 Civil Code, a settlement agreement seeks to conclude or prevent any uncertainty or dispute. To prevent parties from … Continue reading

Pension reforms in the Netherlands

Photo of Suzanne KampijonBy Suzanne Kampijon on Posted in Europe, The Netherlands
If you are an employer currently offering your Dutch employees participation in a pension arrangement, then the below is a “must read”. In the Netherlands a legislative proposal is pending which may have an impact on the pension arrangements within your company. As of 1 January 2015 the following changes may come into force: For … Continue reading
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