Blogs by 'Koen Vermeulen'

27 August 2026

Works council and right of consent for changes to home working policy

Around the summer of 2025, two judgments were published on a highly topical issue: changes to home working policy. From the United States, a trend seems to be spreading to the Netherlands in which companies are trying to force employees to work from the office more often, or even full-time.

13 August 2026

New Act on Transfer of Undertakings in Bankruptcy (WOVOF): consequences for employees and restart entrepreneurs

Some time ago, a blog was published on our website about the protection of employees in a restart following bankruptcy. It was relevant then and remains a topical issue now, as the Act on the Transfer of Undertakings in Bankruptcy (Wet Overgang van Onderneming in Faillissement, WOVOF) is approaching.

29 June 2026

Pension compensation: a hot topic

Exactly one year ago, I wrote a blog about the impact of dismissal on eligibility for pension compensation from a pension provider.

15 January 2026

Works council’s right to be consulted in an international group

The works council (ondernemingsraad, OR) is entitled to all information that it “reasonably” needs to provide advice on, for example, a reorganisation.

15 September 2025

Duty of care in pension compensation

The transition to the new pension system is in full swing. The social partners involved in the pension funds have largely completed their transition plans. These plans always include a section on compensation for current participants, employees, who are disproportionately disadvantaged by the change in the pension system.

2 August 2025

75 years of the Works Councils Act: what is an important decision?

The Dutch Works Councils Act (WOR) has existed for 75 years. That was a reason for Or/net to ask members of works councils how the law could be improved.

23 July 2025

Medical decision making in the employment relationship from the employer’s perspective

Employers often perceive sickness notifications and absenteeism as a significant burden. This is understandable. Employees on sick leave would also prefer to be at work rather than at home unable to work.

16 July 2025

Business closure: what to do with employees?

The company is shutting down. This may be due to poor financial performance or because the sole owner is seriously ill or has passed away. However, ceasing operations and closing the doors does not mean that employment contracts with staff automatically end. So how does this work?

10 July 2025

Implications of the Uber-ruling for companies employing freelancers

Is a freelancer an employee or a contractor? The distinction carries major implications for legal protection, as well as financial and tax consequences.