KNM: Werk & Contracten
In the Netherlands, employment is regulated by law. Workers have strong rights including minimum wage, paid vacation (at least 4 weeks), and sick leave. T...
In the Netherlands, employment is regulated by law. Workers have strong rights including minimum wage, paid vacation (at least 4 weeks), and sick leave. There are different types of contracts: permanent (vast contract), temporary (tijdelijk contract), and zero-hours (oproepcontract).
| English | Dutch | Key Information |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent contract | Vast contract | Indefinite, most job security |
| Temporary contract | Tijdelijk contract | Fixed end date, max 3 in 3 years |
| Trial period | Proeftijd | 1-2 months, easy termination |
| Minimum wage | Minimumloon | Set by government, age-dependent |
| Vacation days | Vakantiedagen | Minimum 4 weeks paid |
| Dismissal protection | Ontslagbescherming | Employer needs valid reason |
| Work Detail | Dutch | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Payslip | Loonstrook | Shows gross salary, net salary, tax, and deductions |
| Gross salary | Brutoloon | Salary before tax and social premiums |
| Net salary | Nettoloon | Amount paid into your bank account |
| Collective agreement | CAO | Extra work rules for a sector or company |
| Job application | Sollicitatie | CV, motivation letter, interview, and asking questions about the job |
| Travel allowance | Reiskostenvergoeding | Compensation for travel between home and work if agreed in the contract or CAO |
| Diploma evaluation | Diplomawaardering | Helps employers compare foreign diplomas |
| Work Situation | Dutch | Exam Point |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary agency | Uitzendbureau | Helps people find temporary work; the worker is an uitzendkracht |
| Flexible worker | Flexwerker | Works with flexible hours or a temporary/flexible contract |
| Self-employed | Zelfstandig ondernemer / zzp'er | Runs own business and usually registers with the Chamber of Commerce |
| Chamber of Commerce | Kamer van Koophandel (KvK) | Registration point for businesses |
| Undeclared work | Zwart werken | Working without declaring income or tax; this is not allowed |
| Trade union | Vakbond / FNV | Helps workers with pay, CAO, and conflicts |
| Health and safety service | Arbodienst | Helps with safe work and sickness at work |
| Performance talk | Functioneringsgesprek | Conversation with your manager about your work and development |
Voorbeelden
- Wat voor contract heb je?
- What kind of contract do you have?
- Ik heb een vast contract.
- I have a permanent contract.
- Hoeveel vakantiedagen heb je?
- How many vacation days do you have?
- De proeftijd is één maand.
- The trial period is one month.
- Mag ik tijdens het sollicitatiegesprek vragen stellen?
- May I ask questions during the job interview?
- Wat zijn mijn salaris, werktijden en reiskostenvergoeding?
- What are my salary, working hours, and travel allowance?
Studienotitie
Always get your employment contract in writing! By law, employers must provide written confirmation of your employment terms. Check your contract carefully for salary, hours, trial period, vacation days, and travel allowance. During a job interview it is normal to ask polite questions; it shows interest and helps you understand the job.
Oefen na het lezen
Train kennis van de Nederlandse maatschappij met getimede KNM-oefenvragen.
Combineer KNM met de andere onderdelen van het inburgeringsexamen.
