5 things to know about Employment Law in the Netherlands

In this series, Barry Stanton, Managing Partner, is talking to his European colleagues with whom he has worked on numerous projects about five things we should know about employment law in their country.

Today, Barry is joined by Matthijs Roest Crollius, Partner at Doorn & Keizer, an expert in Dutch employment law. Their discussion covers the process and legal requirements for termination and redundancy in the Netherlands, including the role of the UWV and the challenges of performance-based dismissals. Matthijs explains notice periods, severance rules, and the necessity of structured Performance Improvement Plans. 

The episode also explores employer obligations regarding sick employees, restrictions on termination during illness, and the risks of non-compliance. Additionally, the conversation delves into non-compete clauses, their enforceability, and potential legislative changes. Finally, they examine on-call and zero-hours contracts, outlining employer responsibilities and employee rights. 

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Chapters

• 0:42 Termination and redundancy
• 3:24 Other grounds for termination
• 5:23 Sickness and termination
• 9:40 Restrictive coveants
• 13:14 On call employees