01 Work and Income

Question 1

How do you find work quickly and effectively? (Hoe zoek je snel en effectief werk)

Answer 1

Job website: werk.nl (gov)
Employment agencies (uitzendbureaus): Randstad, Tempo
Municipal Job Assistance (gemeentehulp): go to the Gemeente or the UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen).

Question 2

What are the rights of the workers (Rechten van werknemers)?

Answer 2

1. Minimum wage (minimumloon)
2. Fixed or flexible contract (vast of tijdelik contract)
3. Sick leave (ziekteverzuim)
4. Paid holidays (vakantiedagen)
5. Protection against unfair dismissal (ontslagbescherming)

Question 3

What are the different job contracts?

Answer 3

1. Permanent Contract (Vast Contract)
   - Long term, no end date, employer must follow strict rules to terminate
2. Temporary Contract (Tijdelijk Contract)
   - Fixed end date, if employer extends a temp contract more than 3 times in 3 years, it becomes a permanent contract.
3. Zero-Hour Contract (Nulurencontract)
   - No fixed working hours, employer calls when theres work, not guaranteed.
4. On call contract (oproepcontract)
   - A flexible contract where you work when the employer needs you, but you’re entitled to a minimum number of hours. (eg supermarket worker)
5. Freelance/Self-Employed (ZZP)
   - You work for clients but you’re responsible for your own taxes, insurance and pension.

Question 4

If you have a tijdelijk contract and your employers wants to fire you before the end date, whats the rules?

Answer 4

1. Only possible with a dismissal clause (Opzegbeding). [Your contract must include a dismissal clause and then your employer can terminate the contract early.] Must respect the notice period (opzegtermijn)
2. Without dismissal clause - employer must pay compensation. Unless there is a mutual agreement to end the contract or the employer goes to court to request termination. If they end it anyway they must still pay your salary.
3. Immediate dismissal for serious reasons (Ontslag op staande voet). Eg: stealing, violence, fraud. You will not receive unemployment benefits if this happens!! (WW-Uitkering).
4. UWV or Court approval for certain dismissals. EG: Fire you for financial reasons or company restructuring, they need permission from the UWV. If its because of poor performance they need approval from the Kantonrechter (judge in small labor disputes).

Question 5

What are your employers responsibilities? (Plichten van werkgevers)?

Answer 5

1. Pay fairly and on time
2. Provide a contract (arbeidsovereenkomst)
3. Ensure safe working environment
4. Respect worker rights.

Question 6

What do you do if you are sick?

Answer 6

Inform your employer, they must pay for sick leave.

Question 7

What do you do if you have pre-booked a holiday before starting a new job?

Answer 7

1. Inform your employer asap.
2. Discuss solutions (either they allow you to take unpaid leave (onbetaald verlof) or paid leave.
3. You cannot just skip work, its unacceptable to not show up on your first day and could lead to losing the job.

Question 8

What act protects against discrimination at work?

Answer 8

The Dutch Equal Treatment Act (Wet Gelijke Behandeling, AWGB)

Question 9

What do you do if you face discrimination?

Answer 9

Talk to your employer or HR (personeelszaken). Report it to the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (College voor de Rechten van de Mens). Go to the labor inspectorate (Inspectie SZW) if your employer does not help.

Question 10

What is ondernemingsraad?

Answer 10

Work council - to have A SAY IN COMPANY DECISIONS

Question 11

How does an ondernemingsraad work?

Answer 11

Group of employees elected by colleagues. Discusses important company policies.