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Employment law

Employment law is changing rapidly. Laws and regulations are continuously being amended and different types of flexible working and self-employment are becoming increasingly important. Our employment lawyers have many years of experience in all areas of the field and can be your strategic partners for all your complex employment law matters. Their comprehensive experience covers dismissal processes, complex reorganisations, employee participation, (harmonising) employment terms and conditions , as well as employment law issues in mergers and acquisitions.

La Gro’s employment lawyers can fully support you with any complex and strategic employment law matters you may be facing, by acting as a sparring partner or as an in-house lawyer for employers.

While day-to-day support services often take place in the background, we only step into the foreground when you and/or the matter in hand require(s) us to do so. Timing is everything in employment law, which is why we are proactive, on the ball, and to the point. We think outside the box and always come up with practical solutions.

To help you enhance your legal knowledge, we happily share ours by providing know-how sessions, webinars, podcasts, blogs, and white papers, so you will be kept up to date on all latest developments in the field of employment law at all times. 

Your specialist
Gerard Zuidgeest

Attorney at law

You can contact us for the following

When entering into an employment contract, both employer and employee anticipate a long-term collaboration. However, a dismissal cannot always be avoided. We can advise and guide you towards the desired outcome.   

In a free white paper, we provide a step-by-step explanation of the basics of dismissal law and detailed answers to FAQs 

Employee participation in your organisation can be arranged in various ways. We can support you in setting up the most practical works council structure and make advisory and approval processes as easy as possible for you. 

Employee participation is also relevant to smaller businesses. Download our white paper on employee participation for answers to FAQs from smaller and medium-sized businesses. 

Making strategic use of legislative and regulatory opportunities, and even anticipating them, can greatly impact the outcome of a reorganisation. We can help and guide you through the various available options. Our lawyers regularly act as an extension of HR departments to actively guide reorganisations and negotiate a social plan. 

Collective bargaining law is increasingly becoming a separate specialism within employment law. At times, it may be unclear whether a certain collective agreement applies to your business. Collective agreement matters can become relevant in mergers and acquisitions too. Our employment law specialists have extensive experience of negotiating, advising, and conducting litigation on collective agreement matters.    

As a business owner, you may come across employees becoming long-term incapacitated to work. Their return-to-work process and the continuation of their salary payments will be your responsibility, although the employee will also have obligations. We can take care of all the legal aspects involved on your behalf

As an employer, it is your responsibility to provide a safe working environment. If anything should happen to an employee, volunteer, contractor or trainee while at work at your company, you will usually be liable for any damages under employer’s liability legislation.

It is not always clear what employer’s liability encompasses. We can advise you on your duty of care and assist you in the event of an accident at work.   

Public service law is an area of law in its own right. Since the introduction of the Civil Servants (Standardisation of Legal Status) Act in the Netherlands, the legal status of many civil servants has been brought more in line with that of employees in the private sector. Nevertheless, the necessary specific laws and regulations apply. 

Our Public Sector Team has been providing legal assistance to local authorities and other public bodies for a large number of years. Our Employment Law Team works closely with our Public Sector Team in dealing with all matters relating to legal status and employment law. 

Pensions are bound to raise issues, especially when changes occur. It is not always clear whether joining an industry pension fund is mandatory either. In addition, it is important for you to be aware of your pension status in the event of a merger or acquisition. We can support and advise you on these issues.

Directors under articles of associations and directors by title are subject to different employment law rules. Given the complexity of the legal status of a director under articles of association, it is wise to seek legal advice and have any employment contract or management agreement reviewed by one of our lawyers.  

Call: +31 172 530 250

Publications

Gerard Zuidgeest 1
Gerard Zuidgeest
Attorney at Law
Quarterly Report Employment law
Dutch labour law is complex and changes constantly. This is challenging for employers, as it requires a sharp and forward-thinking approach. La Gro is forward-thinking and actively informs its relations about developments regarding labour law with the aim to fully unburden you, so that your business can remain your top priority. La Gro regularly shares insights in various legal fields, because we believe that this is the key to growth. This quarterly report aims to give a brief overview of important labour law developments in the last quarter. It also looks ahead to developments that may require action from employers. If you would like to receive the quarterly report automatically via email fill out the form below.  Legislative developments Further regulation of non-compete clauses expected A legislative proposal outlines the way in which the use of non-compete clauses might soon be regulated. The internet consultation phase for this proposal has now been completed. The proposal is expected to significantly change the agreement and enforcement of non-compete clauses in new employment contracts. Click here for more information on this topic. Newly proposed rules with regard to transfer of employees in the event of bankruptcy A new legislative proposal regulates the transfer of employees when a bankrupt company is taken over. The proposal leaves room for an objective and transparent method of partial transfer of employees due to business economic reasons and regulates non-competes and the consultation of employees  in such transfers.  Click here for more information on this topic. Proposed mourning leave Coinciding with a broader intention to reshape special leave legislation, a separate legislative proposal aims to introduce an entirely new form of leave: mourning leave. This form of leave would extend the current leave  between passing and funeral and would set a minimum standard of five days in case of loss of partner or minor child.  Click here for more information on this topic. Case law developments Clarification of Xella case law If a long-term sick employee whose employment contract can be lawfully terminated so requests, the employer must cooperate with the termination of the employment agreement, except in exceptional cases. The Supreme Court now clarifies the way in which the existence of such an exception must be assessed. You can read more about this ruling here. Relationship clause violates Waadi  In a recent ruling, the Court of Appeal in Den Bosch has declared an employee’s relationship clause null and void after the work was found to be temporary agency work. The ruling contains important lessons about temporary agency work, relationship clauses and the effect of European law on labour contracts.  To learn more, click here.    Sick pay does not require a sickness notification by the employee  After an employer can reasonably know that an employee is sick, the correct actions must be taken. Any (unintentional) violation of legal obligations can cost an employer dearly. Recently, the Court of Appeals in The Hague assessed whether calling-in sick is relevant with regards to those obligations. Read more about this ruling here.  Labour market developments Labour shortage remains   The Dutch labour market remains in a shortage, but labour market tension eased slightly in Q1 of 2024. The ratio of job vacancies for every 100 unemployed fell to 110, compared to 114 vacancies in Q4 of 2023. Unemployment rose slightly to 3,7%. Increase of wages at the start of Q3 Many employees will see their wages increase per 1 July 2024. Many collective labour agreements stipulate such increases. On the same day, the statutory minimum wage for all employees will also increase by 3,08%. Employers will need to update their salary administration where necessary. For more information on the correct payment of (minimum) wages, click here. Effects of the coalition agreement 177 days after the general elections, four political parties have reached a coalition agreement. The main proposals with regards to the labour market are: lower taxes on labour, more commitment to permanent contracts, reduction of the maximum unemployment benefit to 18 months, continuation of major pending legislative proposals (including the Vbar, the Wtta and the modernisation of the compete clauses) and limitation of compensation of transition payments to small employers. The coalition agreement contains no proposals to change the dismissal system. How can La Gro be of assistance?  The second quarter of 2024 brings many new developments in the field of employment law but also other areas of Dutch law. Are you curious about what recent developments mean for your organisation? Do you have a pressing matter within your organisation? With extensive knowledge in eighteen areas of law, La Gro is perfectly positioned to assist in a broad spectrum of legal challenges within you business. Please feel free to contact any of our experts to inquire about the possibilities. We would be more than happy to assist you.
Gerard Zuidgeest 1
Gerard Zuidgeest
Attorney at Law
Statutory minimum wages update
In the Netherlands, the minimum wage is regulated by the Minimum Wage and Minimum Holiday Allowance Act (“WML”). This does not cover employees working outside the Netherlands, unless they live in the Netherlands and their employer is also based here. Workers under 21 years of age are eligible for a percentage of the adult minimum wage and no minimum wage applies to workers under 18 years of age.  Until 1 January 2024, a monthly minimum wage applied (based on a maximum of 40 hours per week). As a result, the minimum wage per hour varied per sector because  in different sectors varying weekly work hours apply. From 1 January 2024, minimum wage is calculated by the hour. This makes abuse of authority and underpayment more apparent. The new minimum hourly wage is based on a 36-hour work week. Employees who work(ed) 40 hours a week therefore saw an additional increase in their minimum wage on a monthly basis, although it remains possible to compensate extra work hours with paid time off, provided this is covered in the collective bargaining agreement and agreed to in writing.  The minimum wage is a gross sum adjusted on 1 January and 1 July each year, usually according to the percentage change in contract wages in different sectors. After sharp increases in 2023, the minimum wage was increased with another 3.75% on 1 January 2024.  Many employees will see their wages rise again per 1 July 2024. Collective bargaining agreements usually provide for such increases, and not just for employees earning the minimum wage. But also for employees without a collective bargaining agreement, the legal minimum wage will increase by 3.08%.   Employers will therefore need to adjust their payroll where necessary to meet the new statutory minimum wages. In doing so, they must take into account the correct calculation of the minimum wage. Only certain (purely financial) wage components count toward the calculation of the minimum wage; income in kind and certain financial income components, such as vacation allowances and year-end bonuses, do not count. Furthermore, necessary expenses related to the employment may not be charged to the employee if this brings the wage below the minimum.   Employees that work more than the stipulated amount of hours (for example, 40 hours while the collective bargaining agreement requires 36 hours), will have to be compensated by their employers.   Improper payment of (minimum) wages can have financial consequences for employers. If an employee has received too little wages, he can claim the difference for up to five years after the fact. That includes salary payments below minimum wage. Such late salary payments may also be subject to a statutory increase, which can amount to 50% of the original salary amount. Furthermore, the Dutch Labor Inspectorate (Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie) can impose administrative fines for non-compliance and in certain cases even shut down operations for three months in case of non-compliance with the WML.   How can La Gro be of assistance?  Do you have a question about (minimum) wage payment in the Netherlands? Are you confronted with a wage claim? Do you have a different question? Expertise in 18 legal fields enables La Gro to offer broad legal assistance. Feel free to contact Gerard Zuidgeest or one of my specialist colleagues.
Gerard Zuidgeest 1
Gerard Zuidgeest
Attorney at Law
Legislative proposal to regulate non-compete clauses
In March 2024, Minister Van Gennep published the announced legislative proposal Modernisation of the Competition Clause. The consultation phase ended in May 2024. The Minister is aiming for 1 July 2025 as the enforcement date. The main principles of the proposal are currently as follows:  The maximum duration of the non-competition clause may not exceed 12 months after the end of the contract and its duration must be justified;  A geographical limitation in the clause is mandatory; without it, the clause is null and void;  The condition that substantial business interest  must be motivated will extend to every contract, whether definite or indefinite, or the clause is null and void;  The employer must invoke the clause in writing no later than one month before the end of the employment contract, else it lapses, except in case  the employee resigns or the employment agreement is terminated by the court;  The employer must pay 50% of the last-earned monthly salary for each month that the non-competition clause is enforced after the end of the employment contract, unless the employee is found guilty of serious misconduct.   If an employer invokes the clause but fails to pay the compensation, the clause lapses, but the obligation to pay the compensation remains;  The court  may mitigate the clause, without lapse of the obligation to pay the compensation;  The employee has to repay the compensation in two cases: if the court annuls the non-compete altogether or if the employee  violates the clause despite the clause being invoked by the employer and the compensation has been paid;  In a settlement agreement, parties may agree that the clause will remain in effect without payment of the compensation;  Existing non-competition clauses remain valid without the obligation to motivate the clause or maintain a geographical limitation, but with a maximum duration of one year and one month’s written notice;  The House of Representatives has recently taken receipt of a motion that would restrict the use of a non-competition clause to employees earning at least one and a half times the average salary.  The final legislation may, of course, differ from these proposals. If the proposal becomes law, the invocation of non-compete clauses will probably decline. At the same time, employers would likely keep a closer eye on violations of non-competes (since they could recover the paid compensation in that way). On the employee side, given the compensation, litigation to have a non-competition clause nullified might also decline.  How can La Gro be of assistance?  Would you like to know more about non-compete clauses? Is a former employee violating his non–compete? Do you have a different question? Expertise in 18 legal fields enables La Gro to offer broad legal assistance. Feel free to contact me or one of my specialist colleagues .    
Gerard Zuidgeest 1
Gerard Zuidgeest
Attorney at Law
Mourning leave
On April 10, 2024, the Minister of Social Affairs circulated a new letter on the complete overhaul of the leave system. This overhaul is intended to make the system more comprehensible for both employers and employees. No legislative proposal for this revision is ready at this time, but the minister’s letter emphasises the intention to draft legislation. In the letter, the minister explains that leave can be broken down into different clusters of comparable forms of leave with the intention to unify the conditions and implementation. The proposed clusters are as follows:  Care of children: maternity leave, adoption or foster care.  Care for loved ones: short and long-term care leave for a sick relative (mantelzorg) or a sick child.  Personal situations: short-term leave for unforeseen or special circumstances.  Separately, a legislative proposal to implement a new form of leave has entered the public consultation phase: the introduction of mourning leave. Current leave upon the loss of a close relative is short and applies until the funeral; it is not intended as mourning leave. The legislative proposal introduces a minimum standard of five days (the hours of one work week) of mourning leave for working parents upon the death of a partner or minor child. During that period the employee retains the right to full pay. It will be possible to (partially) deny mourning leave in case of compelling business reasons.  How can La Gro be of assistance?  Do you have a question about employees going on leave? Do you want to introduce additional leave within your company? Do you have a different question? Expertise in 18 legal fields enables La Gro to offer broad legal assistance. Feel free to contact me or one of my specialist colleagues.   
Gerard Zuidgeest 1
Gerard Zuidgeest
Attorney at Law
Payment of wages without calling in sick?
Occupational disability remains a complex topic. Acting correctly after an employee calls in sick is by no means a given. In some cases, an employer stops payment without proper grounds. This happens, for example, when the employee is not believed to be sick. Recently, the Court of Appeals in The Hague gave a ruling in such a case, from which important lessons for employers can be learned.  The facts of the case were as follows: an employee, who had not worked for twelve years due to personal circumstances, had been hired by his friend, the employer’s director, as a maintenance mechanic. After only a few months (on 12 June 2022), the employee indicated that he needed to take time off. This request was accepted. A week later, the employee’s partner texted the employer that he was “clearly overworked.” The employee subsequently did not return to work. The employer stopped paying him.   The employee subsequently claimed his wages from 12 June 2022 in court. The employer defended itself, claiming that it hadn’t been clear that the employee was sick, that the employee never officially and personally called in sick, that the employee had been unwilling to work and had never sought contact, and that the employee was still working elsewhere while he stayed away from the employer.   The court nevertheless granted the wage claims. After the text message from the employee’s partner, the employer, being familiar with the employee’s background, could have anticipated incapacity for work even without an official sick notification. Furthermore, the court ruled that a right to wages during illness does not require an explicit sick notification. The court ruled that the employee had been sick since 12 June 2022, attaching value to an expert opinion  that had been issued seven months after 12 June 2022 (and after a court decision in first instance). It followed from this opinion that the employee had been sick on 12 June 2022. That opinion had since been confirmed by an insurance physician. The wage claim was thus awarded with an additional partial statutory increase of 10%.  Conclusion   After an employer is reasonably aware that an employee is sick, he must act correctly. An employer may unintentionally violate important legal obligations. If an employer does not call in a company doctor or simply stops wage payment, it can cost him dearly. Even if there was never an explicit notification of illness.  How can La Gro be of assistance?   Are you wondering how to act when an employee calls in sick? Are you considering a new sickness policy? Do you have a different question? Expertise in 18 legal fields enables La Gro to offer broad legal assistance. Feel free to contact me or one of my specialist colleagues. 
Gerard Zuidgeest 1
Gerard Zuidgeest
Attorney at Law
Temporary agencies, be warned!
Working under an employment contract does not necessarily mean that the work itself takes place within the employer’s company. Sometimes the work takes place elsewhere. Moreover, if an employee works specifically through a temporary employment agency under the direction and supervision of another entity, we speak of “temporary agency work”. The entity where the work is performed is then the ‘user company’.   Specific legal provisions apply to temporary agency work to protect temporary agency workers. These rules include, for example, the Wet allocatie arbeidskrachten door intermediairs (Waadi), based on the European Temporary Employment Directive (2008/104/EC).  One of the aims of the Waadi is to prevent temporary workers from being disadvantaged compared to workers employed directly by the user company. Among others, an important provision is Article 9a Waadi, which states that temporary workers may not be prevented from entering into the user company’s s employment after the end of the assignment.   A recent decision of the Court of Appeals in ‘s Hertogenbosch clearly illustrates the importance of a good understanding of the (European) rules on temporary agency work.  An administrative employee of an temporary agency (who was working internally and thus would not perform temporary agency work elsewhere) had been put to work at a scaffolding construction company. Afterwards, he claimed in court that he had also worked there as a  foreman under the direction and supervision of the user company. The temporary  agency denies this, but the court concludes, based on the company records, that the employee had indeed worked as a foreman, so that he qualified as a temporary agency worker.  The (re)qualification ultimately led to the nullification, of the non-solicitation clause in the employment contract on the basis of Section 9a Waadi, because the clause prevented the employee from joining the user company’s employment. The non-competition clause, however, was upheld.   The fact that the court applied Section 9a Waadi ex officio (without any of the parties invoking it), makes this case extra special. The court felt compelled to this initiative because of a recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU, confirming that Article 47 of the EU Charter, which provides for the right to effective legal protection, can be directly invoked in labour relations. This ruling by the Court of Appeals in ‘s-Hertogenbosch marks one of the first cases following this EU development.   Lessons learned   Convenient use of employees by a temporary employment agency can unintentionally lead to applicability of the Waadi and similar regulations.   In addition, the wording of relationship clauses is and remains of great importance. Finally, an employer who is not familiar with European law may be in for unpleasant surprises in proceedings.  How can La Gro be of assistance?   Do you have a question about temporary work, the formulation of your non-solicitation  clauses or the effect of European law on your organisation? Do you have a different question? Expertise in 18 legal fields enables La Gro to offer broad legal assistance. Feel free to contact me or one of my specialist colleagues.