Netherlands: Termination of employment

Updating author: Wouter Engelsman and Jasper Hoffstedde, CLINT | Littler

Original authors: Mark Carley and Robbert H. van het Kaar

See the legal services provided by the updating authors of International > Netherlands, including any discounts/offers for subscribers.

Summary

• There are six basic procedures for terminating a contract of employment. (See General)
• Save in certain cases, termination of an employment contract is subject to a statutory minimum notice period. (See Notice periods)
• Employers and employees may mutually agree to terminate the employment contract via a written termination agreement. (See Termination by mutual consent)
• An employer may dismiss an employee without notice for an "urgent" reason in certain circumstances. (See Summary dismissal)
• Where an employer is proposing to dismiss an employee on economic grounds, or for long-term sickness absence, it must obtain a termination permit from the UWV before giving notice. (see Termination with authorisation from the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency))
• Employers may seek dissolution of an employment contract in the courts on various grounds. (See Dismissal by court ruling)
• There are various rules regarding terminations on the ground of redundancy. (See Redundancy)
• There are various rules regarding when and how employees may challenge their dismissal. (See Unfair/unlawful termination)
• Employees may be entitled to a severance payment under the statutory transition payment scheme. (See Severance compensation)