Leiden University Career Zone
Working conditions
If the employer offers you the job, and you choose to accept, the final step in the application process is agreeing on the conditions of employment. These are laid down in an labour agreement. Always read the conditions carefully.
As well as individual labour agreements, there are also collective labour agreements (known in Dutch as CAOs). You can find these on the organisation’s website, or by searching the internet for the collective labour agreement of the sector you will work in.
What kind of employment conditions are there?
Responsibilities
When agreeing on conditions of employment, it is important that both you and your employer agree on the tasks you will be responsible for. In addition to the job vacancy text, there is generally also a job description that you should review carefully.
Salary
As well as checking your gross salary, you should also find out what your net salary will be after all deductions and taxes. Also check which salary scale and grade you will be placed in. Can you work your way up the salary scale? And are there options to be placed in a higher scale in the future?
Bonuses and additional payments
Find out what additional payments you may be entitled to, for example a 13th month, profit distribution, bonuses and holiday allowance.
Working hours
How many hours will you work per week and how will these be distributed? Is this fixed or is there room for flexibility? If you work outside standard times, will you be compensated financially or in time?
Duration of the contract, trial and notice period
The laws covering these matters change frequently and employers have considerable flexibility to set their own criteria. If you will be offered a temporary contract, it’s wise to make provisional agreements about future extensions or permanent contracts.
Pension
Does the organisation have a (collective) pension agreement? Is participation compulsory? What are the conditions of the agreement? Who pays the premiums? And what are the conditions (and drawbacks) of the agreement?
Holidays and leave
How many days of leave are you entitled to? Are some of these days compulsory ‘collective’ holidays? Can you save up your free days for a longer holiday, or are there restrictions? Is unpaid leave permitted?
Illness and disability
The laws covering these matters change frequently, so check the regulations carefully . If you become ill or incapacitated, to what degree will you be financially covered by your employer or the State? Find out whether additional measures, such as top-up insurance, might be a good idea in your situation.
Reimbursement of costs
To what extent will you be reimbursed for the use of (or purchase of) a mobile phone or (public) transport? If you need to move house for your new job, will you be compensated for the costs involved? And how about other work-related costs, for example buying a bicycle for commuting?
Other extras
Consider matters such as options for training courses, collective insurances and discounts on products and services, such as gym membership. These days many employers offer attractive packages for employees.
