Zero-hours contract in the Netherlands
Aug 26th 2016, 11:35 am
#1
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2
Zero-hours contract in the Netherlands
Hi All!
I am about to start work in the Netherlands and wondered whether anyone here knew about zero-hours contracts. I understand the risks involved but would like to know:
1. Is the employer responsible for paying tax on behalf of the employee?
2. After a certain amount of continuous employment, is an employee eligible for holiday pay?
Thank you.....
I am about to start work in the Netherlands and wondered whether anyone here knew about zero-hours contracts. I understand the risks involved but would like to know:
1. Is the employer responsible for paying tax on behalf of the employee?
2. After a certain amount of continuous employment, is an employee eligible for holiday pay?
Thank you.....
Aug 26th 2016, 6:55 pm
#2
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Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Noord Holland
Posts: 568
Re: Zero-hours contract in the Netherlands
1. You start on a Phase A contract. The agent IS your employer and pays all your taxes and social contributions to the government, and gives you what's left. The company (end user) of your services is generally known as 'the client'. If 'the clients' business burns down, you're out on the street with no protections. If the client doesn't have any work that week, you get no pay. This changes when you reach Phase B, after around 18 months, when you are guaranteed a minimum number of paid hours each week/month. It's important to know this - don't give up a regular contract for a zero hour one, and remember to save because if you don't have work one week, you still need to eat!
2) You start to accrue holiday pay from the first day. It is shown in your payslip (which are usually done online). You'll see a few deductions, including:
Vakantiedagen/uren in geld (Holidays/hours in money) which is what you have accrued and can use when you want paid time off,
Vakantiebijslag (holiday compensation) which is your accrued Bank Holiday pay, and
Kort Verzuim (small absence) which is what you can use on your timesheet to get paid if you need to take a few hours off if you need, for example, to go to the dentist or a hospital appointment. If you don't use all these accrued allowances when your contract ends, it is paid out to you with your final salary slip.
I don't know which agency you are with, but make sure you have spoken to them about the annual holiday pay (a lump sum once a year, around May/June), and travel expenses to/from work. They will expect you to ask this so don't be shy - be Dutch!
Good Luck!
2) You start to accrue holiday pay from the first day. It is shown in your payslip (which are usually done online). You'll see a few deductions, including:
Vakantiedagen/uren in geld (Holidays/hours in money) which is what you have accrued and can use when you want paid time off,
Vakantiebijslag (holiday compensation) which is your accrued Bank Holiday pay, and
Kort Verzuim (small absence) which is what you can use on your timesheet to get paid if you need to take a few hours off if you need, for example, to go to the dentist or a hospital appointment. If you don't use all these accrued allowances when your contract ends, it is paid out to you with your final salary slip.
I don't know which agency you are with, but make sure you have spoken to them about the annual holiday pay (a lump sum once a year, around May/June), and travel expenses to/from work. They will expect you to ask this so don't be shy - be Dutch!
Good Luck!
Last edited by Red_Wine_Fairy; Aug 26th 2016 at 7:00 pm.
Aug 27th 2016, 8:10 am
#3
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2
Re: Zero-hours contract in the Netherlands
Thank you so much for the information.
