5. Werken in Nederland — work and income

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Topic map: finding work → suitable work → contract and rights → pay, taxes and enterprise → benefits → discrimination.

This is an exam summary. Exact rules on contracts, dismissal, benefits and tax depend on legislation, the applicable collective agreement and the individual case.

What you should be able to do in the exam

You should understand how to search and apply for work, distinguish temporary and permanent contracts, know the rights and duties of employees and employers, read the purpose of a payslip and annual statement, know where to go after unemployment or illness and know how to respond to discrimination.

1. KNM, MAP and responsibility for income

KNM tests knowledge of Dutch society. MAP, the Labour Market and Participation Module, concerns the labour market, job search and participation. MAP may include practical activities such as volunteering, an internship or paid work.

The central idea is that an adult is expected, where possible, to provide for their own income. A partner or benefit may provide temporary support, but benefits have conditions and duties.

2. Finding work

Network

Many vacancies are found through a network: acquaintances, colleagues, neighbours, courses, volunteering and professional contacts. Tell people clearly which role and region you are interested in.

Sources of vacancies

• LinkedIn and other online networks;
• employer websites and job boards;
• temporary employment agencies;
• municipality, UWV, educational institution or personal contacts;
• events and organisations in the sector.

Temporary employment agency

This agency matches workers with temporary assignments. You register your experience, availability and preferred work. For an assignment, the agency is often the formal employer.

3. Job application

What to send

• an online application form or application letter;
• a CV containing contact details, education, work experience, skills and languages;
• sometimes diplomas, certificates or references.

A motivation letter explains why the particular role and organisation interest you. A CV is concise and factual.

Preparing for an interview

• research the company and vacancy;
• prepare examples of experience and competencies;
• explain your motivation;
• think about your availability;
• prepare your own questions.

You can ask about tasks, team, training, salary, working hours, contract, leave, travel costs and other terms of employment. Questions show interest and help you evaluate the job.

4. Work that suits you

An employer considers more than a diploma.

Experience

Experience may come from another country, an internship, volunteering or previous employment. It shows that you have performed tasks and may work independently.

Competencies

A competency combines knowledge, skill and behaviour. Examples:

• accurate work;
• customer communication;
• physical strength;
• planning;
• teamwork;
• being caring or independent.

Motivation

You should be able to explain why you want the job and why it matches your interests and goals.

Availability

Work may need to be combined with childcare, education or informal care. Opportunities also differ by region; larger cities normally offer more vacancies.

5. Employment contract and collective agreement

Contract types

Under chain rules, a permanent contract can arise after a series of temporary contracts, often after three; exact periods and exceptions depend on law and the collective agreement.

Zwartwerken means undeclared work without proper tax and registration. It is prohibited and leaves the worker without normal protection and insurance. Official declared work is sometimes called wit werk.

What a contract contains

• role and tasks;
• number of hours;
• start and, for temporary work, end date;
• salary;
• working hours;
• holiday entitlement;
• travel costs;
• probation, notice and other rules;
• working conditions such as safety, health, noise and equipment;
• rights and duties of both parties.

Collective labour agreement

A collectieve arbeidsovereenkomst, or cao, contains joint arrangements for a sector or large organisation, for example construction, hospitality or education. It may regulate minimum pay, supplements, leave, sickness, schedules and pension conditions.

Law and the cao set minimum standards. An individual contract may offer better conditions, but normally not less than mandatory standards.

6. Performance and employee participation

Performance review

The employer discusses how you function: whether tasks were completed, what is going well and what needs improvement. Prepare your own examples and questions about development, working conditions and the next contract.

Participation bodies

Trade-union membership is voluntary and normally involves a fee.

7. Pay, tax and premiums

Gross and net

• gross salary — before tax and deductions;
• net salary — the amount reaching the bank account.

Documents

• A loonstrook / salarisstrook shows gross, net, tax, premiums, hours and other deductions.
• A jaaropgave summarises annual income and deductions and is used for the tax return.
• The book recommends keeping payslips and annual statements for at least five years.

Premiums

Employee and employer contributions may fund, depending on the situation:

• pension;
• unemployment protection;
• disability protection;
• other social insurance.

8. Starting a business

Employee, entrepreneur and freelancer

• In loondienst, you work for an employer.
• A zelfstandig ondernemer owns a business and may employ staff.
• A zzp'er is self-employed without employees.

A new entrepreneur normally needs to:

1. prepare a business plan;
2. assess customers, income, costs and risks;
3. register with the Chamber of Commerce;
4. keep administration and pay tax;
5. arrange personal pension and disability protection, such as AOV.

An entrepreneur does not automatically receive an employer's protection during illness or lack of assignments.

9. When income is insufficient

Unemployment benefit

WW may be available to a person who loses work involuntarily and meets the insurance conditions. Contact UWV promptly, register as a job seeker and apply. Voluntary resignation normally removes entitlement.

Illness and disability

• A sick employee normally continues to receive part of the salary from the employer.
• When there is no employer or a special situation applies, the Sickness Benefits Act may provide a benefit through UWV.
• After long-term inability to work, normally beyond two years, WIA may be considered.

Social assistance

If there is no entitlement to another benefit and the household lacks income or assets, the municipality may grant social assistance. A partner's income and savings count. It is a final safety net, not an automatic payment to everyone.

Duties with a benefit

• search for work and cooperate with UWV or the municipality;
• accept suitable work where required;
• report income, cohabitation and other changes;
• discuss education or courses in advance;
• consult before starting a business.

Part-time earnings normally reduce the benefit; sufficient earnings end it.

10. Discrimination at work

Examples include:

• a woman is paid less than a man for the same work and experience;
• an applicant is rejected because she is pregnant;
• colleagues humiliate a gay employee;
• a person is prevented from reasonably practising religion because of prejudice;
• an applicant is rejected because of origin, disability or another protected ground.

Steps to take

1. If safe, speak directly with the person.
2. Contact the manager.
3. If the manager is involved or does not help, contact a confidential adviser, HR, works council or union.
4. Record dates, messages and witnesses.
5. Contact an anti-discrimination service or the Legal Aid Desk.
6. For a crime or serious threat, contact the police and file a report.

Discrimination is prohibited: equal situations must be treated equally.

Commonly confused ideas

Common exam traps

• A vacancy can be found through a network or agency, not only online.
• A CV contains experience and education; motivation is mainly explained in the letter and interview.
• Undeclared work is prohibited.
• A cao does not replace the personal contract; it provides collective conditions.
• Net salary is lower than gross because of tax and premiums.
• A self-employed person arranges personal pension and insurance protection.
• Contact UWV quickly after losing work.
• Social assistance also depends on a partner's income and household assets.
• Internal reporting is useful in discrimination cases, but serious violations can be formally reported.

Active recall

1. How does KNM differ from MAP?
2. Name four ways to find a vacancy.
3. What belongs in a CV?
4. What can you ask in a job interview?
5. How does experience differ from a competency?
6. What does availability mean?
7. How does a temporary contract differ from a permanent one?
8. What is a cao?
9. What do a payslip and annual statement show?
10. How does gross differ from net?
11. Where is a business registered?
12. Whom should you contact after losing work?
13. When can a partner's income prevent social assistance?
14. What is a reasonable first step after discrimination if it is safe?

Based on chapter 5 of the book, printed pages 103–124.