Imagine: you have just left the office building on the Laan van Nieuw Oost-Indië after your manager delivered the news. The clock is ticking. What you do over the next two days determines whether your WW entitlement remains intact and whether the compensation can be increased.
Immediately after the meeting: demand a written statement of reasons
An oral notification has little legal standing. Ask your employer right away for a detailed written explanation. The absence of a clear reason often means there is no valid ground for dismissal. Send a brief confirmation email yourself summarising the discussion.
Collect your documents before access expires
Secure the following documents at your private address:
- Employment contract including all annexes
- Payslips for the last twelve months plus the annual statement
- Performance reviews and appraisal meetings
- Email correspondence regarding your performance
- Collective agreement (CAO) text and any bonus schemes
- Pension statements and internal company rules
Never remove company files; this may create a new urgent reason for dismissal.
Use the statutory cooling-off period for a settlement agreement (VSO)
A settlement agreement (vaststellingsovereenkomst) is subject to an uninterrupted cooling-off period of fourteen days. Do not sign anything under pressure. You may still withdraw free of charge during this period by means of a registered letter.
Engage a specialist promptly
An initial consultation with an employment lawyer often lasts between half an hour and three quarters of an hour. Call the Arslan office in Den Haag to arrange an introductory meeting. The lawyer will assess whether the ground for dismissal holds, whether any improvement procedure has been followed correctly and whether the offered compensation is in line with the market. In most cases this leads to a 20 to 40 per cent higher outcome.
Ensure your WW entitlement is not jeopardised
Avoid wording in the agreement such as “underperformance” or “summary dismissal”. Use neutral terms such as “difference of opinion”. Otherwise you risk sanctions from the UWV.
Important time limits you should know
- 14 days — cooling-off period after signing a settlement agreement (VSO)
- 2 months — time limit to challenge summary dismissal before the Rechtbank Den Haag
- 3 months — time limit to claim the transition payment (transitievergoeding) via the subdistrict court
- 3 months — deadline to submit the initial WW application to the UWV
What you must absolutely refrain from doing
Do not post an update on LinkedIn yet. Do not take customer data or sensitive files with you. Do not send emotional emails to your employer. Keep all communication professional. If in doubt, you can also contact the Juridisch Loket Den Haag for an initial exploratory consultation.