Workplace culture in the Netherlands

The full working week in the Netherlands is between 36 and 40 hours depending on the collective agreement, that is about eight hours a day.

• You are entitled to paid annual leave of at least four times your weekly working hours, and most contracts give 25 to 30 days, in addition to public holidays.
• Maternity leave (16 weeks at full pay from UWV), paternity leave and partial parental leave are granted.
• You are expected to take your leave, and plan it in advance in agreement with your team.
• The common pattern is a summer holiday of two to three weeks, and many companies close around holidays.
• And you are not expected to answer messages on your leave.

The Netherlands is famous for the highest part-time rate in the world, since more than half of workers work less than a full week, and the four-day week is commonly called.

• You have the right under the Flexible Working Act (Wet flexibel werken) to request a change of your working hours or place after six months of service, and the employer must grant your request unless a serious interest refuses it. Working from home (thuiswerken) is very familiar after the pandemic, and many companies adopt a hybrid system.
• This flexibility allows family care, study and hobbies.
• Part-time work is not viewed as lack of ambition.
• But know that part-time reduces salary and pension, so plan for that.

Dutch companies often take decisions with wide consultation seeking consensus, which seems slow but ensures everyone's support at implementation.

• You are expected to share your opinion and suggest ideas even if you are new.
• Do not wait for your manager to tell you every step, but take responsibility for your work and report your progress and problems early.
• Cooperation between teams is essential and excessive individual competition is undesirable, and team spirit is valued.
• Efficiency, precision and deadlines are valued.
• Meetings may be many, so prepare yourself and speak concisely.
• If you do not agree with something say so politely with reasons, since silence may be understood as agreement.

Most Dutch people eat a simple cold lunch such as a sandwich (broodje), yoghurt or fruit in a short break, and may eat with colleagues in the kitchen or cafeteria.

• They drink coffee repeatedly and talk about light matters.
• In many offices a vrijdagmiddagborrel is held, that is a Friday afternoon gathering for drinks and light snacks, and you can take part by drinking juice or tea.
• Team trips, an activity day and an end-of-year event may be organised.
• Participation builds relationships but is not compulsory, and someone who declines for religious or family reasons is not blamed.
• It is appreciated that you introduce yourself to colleagues and show interest in their lives without intrusion.
• Some celebrate their birthday by bringing cake to the office.

Companies encourage continuous training and offer learning budgets and courses, and you can request them in your annual appraisal (functioneringsgesprek).

• Promotion depends on competence, results, initiative and professional relationships.
• Companies with fifty or more employees elect a works council (ondernemingsraad) with the right to take part in decisions affecting workers.
• The big unions FNV and CNV negotiate collective agreements (cao) and provide legal advice to members, and membership is voluntary with a monthly contribution.
• There is protection from unfair dismissal and clear rules for termination.
• With a problem contact your manager, then human resources, then the confidential adviser, then the union or the Juridisch Loket.

At least how many annual leave days for full time?