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 2022 about the team:
The team assists clients with individual and collective dismissals, in addition to disputes over flexible working arrangements and employee misconduct. Team members also advise on contractual disputes, collective bargaining agreements and the employment aspects of M&A transactions. It enjoys a diverse client roster, including airlines and entertainment sector companies.
A client enthuses that the firm’s lawyers “are not only very strong legal advisors but also are able to think along with us and are advisers with vision.”
Legal 500 2022 about the team:
“Höcker Advocaten’s full-service practice advises large multinationals and smaller domestic companies on advisory issues and disputes. The team has recently been handling cross-border reorganisations, Covid-19-related matters and high profile litigation. Jasper van Hulst heads the practice and is experienced in the travel, media, healthcare and arts sectors. The team is praised for being a ‘small boutique employment team offering an excellent level of service and value for money.”
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.