# Dutch — Employment Sub-Lexicon

Auto-generated from translation experience. Maps Dutch employment and labor law
terms to their correct English equivalents. Dutch employment law is governed by
BW Book 7 Title 10 (Arbeidsovereenkomst), the Wet arbeidsmarkt in balans (WAB 2020),
Wet werk en zekerheid (WWZ 2015), the Work and Security Act jurisprudence,
collective-labor-agreements regime (Wet op de CAO), and EU directives.

## Core Employment Relationship

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| arbeidsovereenkomst | employment contract | BW 7:610 — definition: work, wages, authority |
| werknemer | employee | |
| werkgever | employer | |
| gezagsverhouding | authority relationship / subordination | Core test for employment vs self-employment |
| werkzaamheden | work / activities | |
| loon | wages / pay | BW 7:616 |
| proeftijd | probationary period | BW 7:652 — max 1 month (contracts up to 2 years); max 2 months (2+ years/indefinite) |
| arbeidsovereenkomst voor bepaalde tijd | fixed-term employment contract | |
| arbeidsovereenkomst voor onbepaalde tijd | indefinite-term employment contract | |
| ketenregeling | chain of contracts rule | BW 7:668a — max 3 consecutive fixed-term contracts in 3 years becomes indefinite |
| doorstroomregeling / 3x3x6 | chain rule | 3 contracts / 3 years / 6-month break resets |
| stilzwijgende voortzetting | tacit continuation | |
| oproepovereenkomst | on-call contract | |
| nulurencontract | zero-hours contract | |
| min-max-contract | min-max contract | |
| uitzendovereenkomst | temporary agency contract | BW 7:690 |
| payrollovereenkomst | payroll contract | BW 7:692 — since WAB 2020 |
| detacheringsovereenkomst | secondment contract | |
| arbeidsongeschikt / ziekte | unfit for work / sickness | |
| zieke werknemer | sick employee | |
| ziekteverzuim | sickness absence | |

## Wages and Working Conditions

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| minimumloon | statutory minimum wage | Wet minimumloon en minimumvakantiebijslag |
| CAO-loon | CLA wage | |
| vakantietoeslag | holiday allowance | 8% — statutory |
| dertiende maand | 13th month / bonus payment | |
| onregelmatigheidstoeslag (ORT) | irregular hours allowance | |
| overwerkvergoeding | overtime pay | |
| loondoorbetaling bij ziekte | continued pay during sickness | BW 7:629 — up to 104 weeks |
| 70% loondoorbetaling | 70% pay continuation | Default during sickness |
| 100% / 90% / 80% | 100% / 90% / 80% | Common CLA uplift |
| emolumenten | fringe benefits | |
| bonus | bonus | |
| winstdeling | profit-sharing | |
| aandelenregeling / stock option plan | share plan / stock option plan | |
| reiskostenvergoeding | travel allowance | |
| thuiswerkvergoeding | home working allowance | Tax-favored EUR 2.35/day (2025) |
| pensioen / pensioenregeling | pension / pension scheme | |
| Wet toekomst pensioenen (Wtp) | Future Pensions Act | 2023 — major pension reform; transition 2028 |
| beschikbare premieregeling | defined contribution scheme | |
| middelloonregeling / eindloonregeling | average-pay / final-pay scheme | |
| ABP / PFZW | ABP / PFZW | Big Dutch pension funds (public sector / healthcare) |

## Working Time and Leave

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arbeidstijdenwet (Atw) | Working Hours Act | |
| arbeidstijd | working time | |
| rusttijd | rest time | |
| vakantiedagen | holiday entitlement | BW 7:634 — min 4x weekly working time |
| vakantieverlof | holiday leave | |
| wettelijke vakantiedagen / bovenwettelijke vakantiedagen | statutory / additional holiday days | Statutory lapse after 6 months of following year; additional 5-year |
| opbouw van vakantie | accrual of holiday | |
| ouderschapsverlof | parental leave | |
| zwangerschaps- en bevallingsverlof | pregnancy and maternity leave | 16 weeks |
| calamiteitenverlof | calamity leave | |
| kortdurend zorgverlof | short-term care leave | |
| langdurig zorgverlof | long-term care leave | |
| geboorteverlof | birth leave / partner leave | 1 week paid + 5 weeks UWV-paid |
| betaald ouderschapsverlof | paid parental leave | 9 weeks UWV-paid (since Aug 2022) |
| adoptieverlof / pleegzorgverlof | adoption leave / foster-care leave | |
| studieverlof | study leave | |
| Wet flexibel werken (Wfw) | Flexible Working Act | Right to request adjustment of hours, location, schedule |
| Wet werken waar je wilt | Act on Working Where You Want | Proposed extension (status fluctuated) |

## Collective Labor Agreements (CAO)

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| collectieve arbeidsovereenkomst (CAO) | collective labor agreement (CLA) | Wet CAO 1927 |
| Wet CAO | CLA Act | |
| Wet algemeen verbindend verklaring CAO-bepalingen (Wet AVV) | Act on Declaration of General Binding Force of CLA Provisions | |
| algemeen verbindend verklaring (AVV) | declaration of general binding force | Extends CLA to non-signatory employers in sector |
| CAO-partijen | CLA parties | |
| werkgeversorganisatie | employers' organization | |
| vakbond | trade union | |
| FNV / CNV / VCP | FNV / CNV / VCP | Major Dutch trade union federations |
| dispensatie | exemption | From AVV-ed CLA |
| napraten / nawerking | post-expiry effect | CLA terms may survive into individual contract |
| werkingsfeer | scope of application | |
| lidmaatschap | membership | |
| incorporatiebeding | incorporation clause | Contract refers to applicable CLA |
| principeakkoord | draft agreement / agreement in principle | |
| ledenraadpleging | member consultation | |
| staking / werkstaking | strike / work stoppage | |
| bedrijfstak-CAO / ondernemings-CAO | sector CLA / company CLA | |

## Works Councils and Employee Consultation

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wet op de ondernemingsraden (WOR) | Works Councils Act | |
| ondernemingsraad (OR) | works council | 50+ employee threshold |
| personeelsvertegenwoordiging (PVT) | staff representation | 10-49 employees |
| instemmingsrecht | right of consent | WOR Art. 27 — on specific HR matters |
| adviesrecht | right to advise | WOR Art. 25 — on strategic decisions |
| voordrachtsrecht / benoemingsrecht | nomination / appointment right | For supervisory directors in structure regime |
| informatierecht | right to information | |
| overlegvergadering | consultative meeting | OR-bestuurder meeting |
| OR-bestuurder | OR-responsible director | |
| Europese ondernemingsraad (EOR) | European Works Council (EWC) | |
| COR (centrale ondernemingsraad) | central works council | Group-level |
| GOR (groepsondernemingsraad) | group works council | |
| SER | Social and Economic Council | Advisory body |
| Stichting van de Arbeid | Labor Foundation | Bipartite social partners |

## Termination of Employment

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| opzegging | termination by notice | |
| ontslag | dismissal / termination | |
| ontslag op staande voet | summary dismissal | BW 7:677 — for urgent cause |
| dringende reden | urgent cause | |
| opzegverbod | prohibition on termination | BW 7:670 — during sickness, pregnancy, OR membership, etc. |
| ontbinding door de kantonrechter | judicial rescission | BW 7:671b — court orders end of contract |
| ontbinding wegens gewichtige redenen | rescission for compelling reasons | |
| h-grond / i-grond / cumulatiegrond | h-ground / i-ground / cumulation ground | Dismissal grounds a-i under BW 7:669 |
| redelijke grond voor ontslag | reasonable ground for dismissal | |
| disfunctioneren (d-grond) | underperformance | |
| verwijtbaar handelen (e-grond) | culpable conduct | |
| verstoorde arbeidsverhouding (g-grond) | disrupted working relationship | |
| andere omstandigheden (h-grond) | other circumstances | |
| cumulatiegrond (i-grond) | cumulation ground | New since WAB 2020 |
| bedrijfseconomisch ontslag (a-grond) | economic redundancy | |
| UWV-ontslagprocedure | UWV dismissal procedure | For economic / long-term sickness — Employee Insurance Agency |
| WW-uitkering | unemployment benefit | |
| WIA-uitkering | WIA benefit | Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act |
| transitievergoeding | transition payment | BW 7:673 — statutory severance |
| billijke vergoeding | fair compensation | Judicially awarded additional compensation in case of serious breach |
| vaststellingsovereenkomst / beëindigingsovereenkomst | settlement / termination agreement | Negotiated mutual termination |
| bedenktijd (twee weken) | reflection period (two weeks) | BW 7:670b — for employee signing termination agreement |
| concurrentiebeding | non-compete clause | BW 7:653 — strict requirements |
| relatiebeding | non-solicit / non-dealing clause | |
| geheimhoudingsbeding | confidentiality clause | |
| studiekostenbeding | study costs clawback clause | Restricted since 2022 per EU Directive |
| getuigschrift | reference / employment certificate | BW 7:656 — employer must provide |
| eindafrekening | final settlement | Final payslip — accrued pay, holiday, bonus, 13th month |

## Reorganization and Collective Redundancy

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| reorganisatie | reorganization | |
| collectief ontslag | collective redundancy | |
| Wet melding collectief ontslag (WMCO) | Collective Dismissal Notification Act | |
| melding aan UWV | notification to UWV | If 20+ dismissals in one region within 3 months |
| raadpleging vakbond / OR | consultation with unions / works council | |
| sociaal plan | social plan | Mitigation arrangements, often agreed with unions |
| afspiegelingsbeginsel | reflection principle | Age-groups selection for economic redundancies |
| outplacement | outplacement | |
| boventallig | redundant | |
| herplaatsing | redeployment | BW 7:669(1) — employer must explore before dismissing |
| passende functie | suitable position | |
| eerste / tweede spoor re-integratie | first/second track reintegration | During long-term sickness |
| Wet Poortwachter | Gatekeeper Act | Sickness re-integration obligations |

## Business Transfers (Overgang van Onderneming)

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| overgang van onderneming (BW 7:662+) | transfer of undertaking | TUPE-like / Acquired Rights Directive implementation |
| overnemer | transferee | |
| vervreemder | transferor | |
| identiteitsbehoud | retention of identity | Transfer test |
| economische eenheid | economic unit | |
| automatische overgang van werknemers | automatic transfer of employees | Terms and conditions carry over |
| informatie- en raadplegingsverplichting | information and consultation duty | |
| arbeidsvoorwaarden harmoniseren | harmonize terms | Post-transfer — restricted |
| collectieve arbeidsvoorwaarden na overgang | collective terms after transfer | Protected for 12 months |
| fusie / splitsing / aandelentransactie | merger / demerger / share deal | Share deal does NOT trigger TUPE |

## Discrimination and Equal Treatment

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| gelijke behandeling | equal treatment | |
| Algemene wet gelijke behandeling (AWGB) | General Equal Treatment Act | |
| Wet gelijke behandeling m/v | Gender Equality Act | |
| Wet gelijke behandeling op grond van handicap of chronische ziekte | Disability Equality Act | |
| Wet gelijke behandeling op grond van leeftijd bij de arbeid (WGBL) | Age Discrimination Act | |
| College voor de Rechten van de Mens | Netherlands Institute for Human Rights | Replacement for former Equal Treatment Commission |
| pay transparency | pay transparency | EU Pay Transparency Directive 2023/970 — transposition 2026 |
| diversiteitsbeleid | diversity policy | |
| Wet evenwichtiger verhouding tussen mannen en vrouwen in bestuur en rvc | Gender Diversity in Boards Act | Since 2022 — 1/3 supervisory board targets |
| intimidatie / pesten / seksuele intimidatie | harassment / bullying / sexual harassment | |
| #MeToo-klachten | #MeToo complaints | Increasingly handled via external investigation |
| klokkenluidersbescherming | whistleblower protection | Wet bescherming klokkenluiders |

## Freelance / Self-Employed / Platform Workers

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| zzp'er / zelfstandige zonder personeel | self-employed / freelancer | |
| modelovereenkomst | model agreement | DBA Act — tax-authority template |
| Wet DBA | Deregulation of Assessment of Employment Relationships Act | Under transition |
| Wet VBAR | Clarification of Assessment of Employment Relationships Act (proposed) | |
| schijnzelfstandigheid | sham self-employment | |
| fictieve dienstbetrekking | deemed employment | For tax/social security |
| Deliveroo / Uber-jurisprudentie | Deliveroo / Uber case law | HR rulings reclassified platform workers as employees |
| platformarbeid | platform work | |
| Platform Work Directive | Platform Work Directive | EU 2024/2831 |
| overeenkomst van opdracht | services agreement / contract of assignment | BW 7:400 — self-employment contract |

## Notes for Translators

- **BW 7:610 test**: Dutch employment is defined by (1) work (arbeid), (2) wages (loon), (3) authority (gezag). All three must be present. Gezagsverhouding (authority relationship) is the key differentiator from self-employment. Dutch courts (Deliveroo, X/Y) increasingly look at economic substance, not contract labels. Flag characterization issues.
- **Ketenregeling (BW 7:668a)**: Three-contract / three-year rule. After 3 successive fixed-term contracts OR 3 years total (with breaks of less than 6 months counted), next contract converts to indefinite. Exceptions in some CLAs (e.g., temporary agency CLAs). Translate as "chain of contracts rule" with gloss.
- **WAB 2020 (Wet arbeidsmarkt in balans)**: Major reform — introduced cumulation ground (i-grond), increased transition payment for dismissed employees, differentiated unemployment contributions, restricted payroll-arrangement advantages. Key turning point in Dutch employment law. Flag pre/post-2020 differences.
- **Transitievergoeding (BW 7:673)**: Statutory severance due on employer-initiated termination. Formula: 1/3 monthly salary per year served (pro rata). Due from day 1 of employment. Capped at EUR 98,000 (2025) OR one year's salary if higher. Translate as "transition payment".
- **Billijke vergoeding**: Additional judicial compensation for serious breach by employer (especially in wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal). No statutory cap. Different from transitievergoeding. Translate as "fair compensation"; flag distinction.
- **H-grond vs i-grond**: BW 7:669 lists exhaustive dismissal grounds a-i. H-grond = "other circumstances" catchall (narrow scope per case law). I-grond (since WAB 2020) = cumulation of insufficient grounds. If i-grond used, court may award up to 50% additional transitievergoeding. Translate with letter references preserved.
- **Opzegverbod**: Strong prohibitions on termination during sickness (up to 104 weeks), pregnancy/maternity, works council activity, military service, etc. Termination in violation is invalid/annullable. Always flag. Translate as "prohibition on termination".
- **Ontslag op staande voet**: Summary dismissal for urgent cause — must be communicated immediately, for urgent cause, with prompt consequences. Strict case law. Often litigated. Translate as "summary dismissal" with gloss.
- **UWV vs kantonrechter routes**: Post-WWZ (2015), dual system: UWV handles economic/long-term-sickness dismissals (a-grond, b-grond); kantonrechter handles personal-grounds (c-i). Translate "UWV" as "Employee Insurance Agency" or retain acronym with gloss.
- **Vaststellingsovereenkomst**: Negotiated mutual termination agreement — most Dutch terminations are resolved this way to preserve WW (unemployment benefit) entitlement. Employee has 14-day reflection period (BW 7:670b) — if not stated in agreement, extends to 3 weeks. Translate as "termination agreement" or "settlement agreement"; flag reflection period.
- **Concurrentiebeding (BW 7:653)**: Strictly regulated non-compete. Only valid in indefinite contracts; in fixed-term only with "dwingend bedrijfsbelang" justification in writing. New 2026 legislation expected to further restrict. Translate as "non-compete clause" and flag tightening regime.
- **Studiekostenbeding**: EU Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions (2022) prohibits charging for mandatory training. Dutch implementation: employer cannot recover cost of mandatory training. Translate as "study costs clawback" and flag post-2022 restriction.
- **Overgang van onderneming (BW 7:662+)**: Dutch TUPE / Acquired Rights Directive implementation. Only applies to asset deals / outsourcing — not share deals. Employees transfer automatically with terms intact. Strong protection. Translate as "transfer of undertaking" with TUPE reference for UK audience.
- **Wet op de ondernemingsraden (WOR)**: 50+ employee threshold. Works council has consent rights (Art. 27 — HR matters) and advisory rights (Art. 25 — strategic). Breach can invalidate decisions. Translate as "Works Councils Act"; flag WOR thresholds.
- **Wet Poortwachter**: Complex sickness/reintegration regime — 2 years of continued pay, with mandatory re-integration steps (first/second track), periodic case reviews, plans of approach, end-review. Non-compliance triggers UWV loonsancties (wage sanctions). Translate as "Gatekeeper Act" with gloss.
- **Wet toekomst pensioenen (Wtp, 2023)**: Major pension reform — migrating collective defined benefit to individual defined contribution. Transition deadline 2028. Complex consent/conversion processes. Flag for pension-affecting translations. Translate as "Future Pensions Act".
- **Wet DBA / Wet VBAR / Deliveroo case law**: Dutch enforcement of self-employment vs employment boundary is in flux. Hoge Raad Deliveroo (March 2023) held platform riders are employees. Uber Amsterdam Court of Appeal (Sept 2021) same conclusion. New law (Wet VBAR) in preparation; Wet DBA enforcement resuming 2025. Flag self-employment arrangements especially with individuals. Translate "schijnzelfstandigheid" as "sham self-employment".
- **Wet bescherming klokkenluiders**: Dutch whistleblower protection — implementing EU Directive. Mandatory internal reporting channels for 50+ employee employers. Translate as "Whistleblowers Protection Act".
- **College voor de Rechten van de Mens**: Replaced former Commissie Gelijke Behandeling in 2012. Non-binding opinions on discrimination cases, but persuasive. Translate as "Netherlands Institute for Human Rights"; flag quasi-judicial nature.
- **Gender diversity in boards (2022)**: 1/3 target for supervisory boards of large companies; NV listed companies subject to binding 1/3 rule for new appointments. Translate accurately; flag as Dutch-specific regime.
- **Belgian employment law**: Very different from Dutch. Belgian law uses Wet betreffende de arbeidsovereenkomsten 1978, different termination regime (very generous statutory notice/severance), different CLA system, Belgian works councils vs Dutch OR. Flag Belgian documents for cross-check.
- **English terms retained in Dutch practice**: bonus, stock option, outplacement, expat, employee benefits. Preserve in translation.
- **CAO / CLA**: Dutch collective-labor-agreement system very strong — many sectors have AVV'ed CLAs binding all employers. Flag which CLA applies in every employment translation; it often determines minimum terms.
- **Minimum wage**: Statutory (Wet minimumloon) updated twice-yearly (January and July). Since 2024, hourly rather than monthly basis. Flag current rate for contemporary documents.
