Netherlands: Employee Rights/ Labour Relations

Dutch companies with 50 or more employees must establish works councils that hold statutory consultation rights over significant business decisions. Understanding when works council advice is required—particularly for financings, guarantees, security packages, and control transfers—is essential for transaction planning and legal compliance.

The Netherlands is implementing the EU Pay Transparency Directive to address the persistent 7% gender pay gap in its business sector. Employers will face new disclosure requirements before and during employment, including mandatory gender pay-gap reporting for companies with 100 or more employees, with the first reports due in 2028. The Dutch approach emphasizes strict implementation without additional obligations, but places the burden of proof on employers who fail to comply with transparency requirements

How can generational differences between Gen X and Gen Z professionals become a source of strength rather than conflict in the workplace? Two international tax advisors share their experience of building a successful collaboration by recognizing each other's unique contributions, moving beyond traditional hierarchies, and creating space for mutual learning and support.

The Amsterdam Court of Appeal has ruled that workers operating through the Temper platform are temporary agency employees rather than self-employed contractors, fundamentally challenging the platform's business model and classification practices.

Employers across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg often organise World Cup after-work events to strengthen team cohesion, but these seemingly informal gatherings carry significant legal implications under local employment law.

A settlement agreement (vaststellingsovereenkomst; VSO) is often an efficient way for employers to terminate an employment relationship.

Due to Covid‑19, remote and hybrid work has become normal in the Netherlands. Many organisations have formalised it in policies and individual agreements.

The Wennink report sounds a clear alarm: the Netherlands is losing ground in the global competition for talent. In this article from our series on the Wennink report, we examine the fiscal expat regime...

The draft Bill implementing the Pay Transparency Directive for men and women was submitted to the Council of State for advice on 20 January 2026.