One of the most important parts of expanding to the Netherlands is the process of recruiting and hiring a global workforce that can move your company forward. Whether you hire Netherlands employees yourself or choose an outsourcing service, you must stay compliant by following the country’s employment compliance laws.
Globalization Partners offers a better way to expand to the Netherlands. We’ll hire employees to work for you and take care of everything from onboarding to employment laws, so you can stay focused on building your new subsidiary.
Recruiting in the Netherlands
Staffing and recruiting in the Netherlands requires a comprehensive understanding of the country’s laws to stay compliant. The Dutch labor and recruitment market is complex because there aren’t enough agencies and job boards for individuals seeking employment. Where to advertise your open positions should be based on the kind of workers you’re looking for, such as:
- White-collar jobs: Indeed and LinkedIn
- Blue-collar jobs: Indeed and Nationale Vacaturebank
- Temporary jobs: Randstad
For all jobs, you can use Google and Facebook to search for candidates or places to advertise. WhatsApp is also a convenient way to communicate with your potential candidates.
Remember that the average Dutch individual can communicate in English at a decent level, especially white-collar workers. However, they typically prefer Dutch, so you should ensure the job description and employment contracts are in Dutch.
Legal & Background Checks
Before you hire someone, you may want to do a background check. However, in the Netherlands, you can request only information that is relevant to the position the individual has applied for. This procedure is the same for contacting personal references and searching for information online. Additionally, you cannot ask for health information.
When you’re staffing your Netherlands business, some positions may require a confidential security clearance. If that’s part of the recruitment process, the Dutch Intelligence Agency (AIVD) will issue a declaration of no objection if the person is cleared.
How to Hire Employees in the Netherlands
Hiring employees in the Netherlands often starts with an employment contract, which can be written or oral. A signed and written employment contract is best since it protects you as an employer and gives the employee clear expectations before starting the position. Employers must provide employees with a written statement of terms of employment detailing aspects including the employee’s workplace, duties, schedule, compensation, benefits, and contract duration.
Netherlands Employment Laws
At the beginning of the hiring process, it’s best to identify any collective bargaining agreements (known in the Netherlands as Collective Labor Agreements or CAO) for your company or specific industry. For example, Globalization Partners’ subsidiary in the Netherlands is WAADI-registered to signify it is a temporary agency and covered by a CBA. If a CBA is present, your Netherlands employment compliance strategy needs to meet or exceed the CBA’s guidelines. You must reference both the statutory minimums and CBA benefits in an employment contract to stay covered.
Keep in mind any other requirements, such as the Working Hours Act. This act mandates a maximum of 12 hours in a day and 60 hours in a week with a maximum weekly average of 48 hours per 16-week period or 55 hours in four consecutive weeks.
Onboarding in the Netherlands
Every company is different when it comes to onboarding employees. Although there’s no one right or wrong way, your business can take a few small steps to make employees feel comfortable on their first day, including:
- Going over the employment contract before or on the employee’s first day
- Discussing any other relevant documentation or HR forms
- Onboarding other employees at the same time so new hires are not alone
- Bringing key company players to the Netherlands for the employees’ first day or week
Benefits of Hiring Outsourcing in the Netherlands
Choosing Netherlands hiring outsourcing with a global PEO boasts multiple benefits. At Globalization Partners, we’ll use our established subsidiary in the Netherlands to streamline your hiring and onboarding process. Instead of waiting until you set up a subsidiary, we can hire Netherlands employees for you in a matter of days.
As the Employer of Record, all matters of compliance will fall on our shoulders instead of yours. Our employment contracts meet the right CBA for temporary agency workers, and we’ll add your employees to our locally compliant payroll.
Work With Globalization Partners To Expand Globally
Globalization Partners offers you everything you need to succeed. Contact us today to learn more about our Netherlands hiring outsourcing services.
THIS CONTENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. You should always consult with and rely on your own legal and/or tax advisor(s). G-P does not provide legal or tax advice. The information is general and not tailored to a specific company or workforce and does not reflect G-P’s product delivery in any given jurisdiction. G-P makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information and shall have no liability arising out of or in connection with it, including any loss caused by use of, or reliance on, the information.