Employment Law
Be it a company restructuring, dismissal or other employment dispute, neither you, nor your employees will enjoy being at the centre of such a matter. Sometimes, however, such situations cannot be avoided and when that happens, you may rest assured that we’ll be on hand to provide a sound and discrete solution to whatever the problem might be.
We can remain on hand, available for advice should you require such, but can also negotiate or litigate on your behalf. We’re always striving to understand employment law in its every detail and master every aspect of it. We know the Balanced Labour Market Act like the back of our hands. And we can add the right creativity and experience to that to offer you the best service around. We also have a deep understanding of our clients, as we’ll often enjoy long-standing relationships with them.
We regularly advise our clients on issues such as employment contracts and temporary or flexible employment, employing independent professionals, Collective Labour Agreements and conditions of employment, but you may also contact us with any issues facing you regarding employment law in general, company restructuring and dismissals, the Work and Security Act and employment participation.
Chambers Europe 2021 about the team:
“Enters the table this year following extensive client praise. Individual and collective dismissals feature among the firm’s caseload, in addition to changes in employee benefit schemes and disputes over flexible working arrangements. Also advises on contractual disputes, collective bargaining agreements and the employment aspects of M&A transactions. Enjoys a diverse client roster, including airlines, insurers and packaging companies.”
“Clients rate the firm for its meticulousness, one reporting that the “advice is very clear and comprehensive.”. “Another emphasises its pragmatism, observing that it “always gives practical advice.”
Legal 500 2021 about the team:
“With Jasper van Hulst at the helm, Höcker Advocaten’s full-service employment practice acts for multinational companies, as well as domestic businesses, on a broad range of employment issues. With it having a focus on the media industry, the firm has noted expertise in contentious matters and litigation.”. The team is praised for its ‘Very short response times and a good and quick grasp of the legal aspects specific to our situation’.”
Our specialists
Dismissals and Restructuring
Whether your matter concerns an individual or a collective dismissal, the dismissal of a company director, a high-earning executive, or a regular employee, we would love to help you out with it. We will be there for you, whether you need to initiate proceedings, or are looking to avoid going to court and would prefer mediation or concluding a settlement agreement instead. We would love to assist you in considering the best option to pursue. We can also direct matters on your behalf, even conduct negotiations on your behalf with the trade unions and/or your company's Works Council, draft a Social Plan and initiate and conclude the subsequent dismissal procedures if required.
Balanced Labour Market Act
Where there is cooperation, sometimes compromises have to be made. This certainly applies to the cooperation between works councils and employers. We regularly advise employers (entrepreneurs), directors and works councils to find their way in the collaboration. The latest changes to Dutch employment law were brought in with the Balanced Labour Market Act in 2020.
Employee Participation
Works Councils not only have the ability to play an important role during a company restructuring or takeover, but also when it comes to (making changes to) staffing policy issues, e.g. holiday or other leave arrangements, sick pay, bonuses, etc. We have the expertise to make the Works Council Act work for you, getting you the best result possible, while remaining fully aware of the sensitivities that come with the relationship between a company's directors and its Works Council.