Blogs by 'Koen Vermeulen'

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.

24 April 2025

Restructuring: selection based on suitability is permitted

How does an employer determine which employee is made redundant during a reorganisation? The reflection principle (in Dutch: afspiegelingsbeginsel) is the obvious statutory starting point.

14 April 2025

Client or Employer?

Since January 1, 2025, the Dutch Tax Authority have resumed enforcement of payroll taxes, focusing on identifying false self-employment on the work floor.