Leave and Holidays in The Netherlands

An employee in The Netherlands is entitled to days off, and when it comes to maternity leave or rest leave, workers are not very well informed about the laws governing such leave. The DB Work team has all the information about each holiday category in The Netherlands, and in this article, we hope to answer any questions you may have.

Everything you need to know about the Netherlands

Dutch law states that every employee is entitled to a certain number of hours of leave and holidays in The Netherlands. Depending on the number of hours worked each week throughout the year, you will be able to calculate how many days of paid leave you can receive. If the average number of hours worked per week throughout the year is 35 hours per week, the number of hours of leave is four times higher. That means 35x4 = 140 hours of leave or holidays in the Netherlands you are entitled to all year round.

Another important aspect of Dutch vacations is that they cannot be used to supplement your salary. If you have not used your holidays, they will either be paid to you when you resign or change jobs, or they will expire 6 months after the end of the calendar year.

Leave and holidays in The Netherlands to treat medical conditions

Public holidays are the ones you already suspect. Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, and King's Day are legal holidays, but from a legal point of view, it is not stipulated anywhere that employees should be free on these days. If the public holidays are working days for you, you will have to go to work according to the normal schedule.

People who become ill during the holidays or if they become ill and cannot get to work must immediately notify the employer. These are days of sick leave that are completely different from normal.

Netherlands parental leave

Women who are about to give birth or who need to stay home to raise their children are entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave. Depending on the expected date of birth, it can be taken up to 6 weeks before the birth. During all 16 weeks, the salary will continue to be paid by the employer.

Parental leave can be extended according to the wishes of each mother. If she considers that she needs more days, she can apply and the leave will be granted. This holiday is also calculated according to the number of hours worked each week, only it is 26 times higher than the number of hours worked per week. So if you've worked 36 hours a week so far, you'll be entitled to 936 hours of parental leave, and you can take another 26 weeks of parental leave.

An important tip we have for you is to never accept that your parental leave is denied. These days of leave must be approved by the employer.

Unexpected leave and holidays in The Netherlands

The Dutch are very receptive and cerebral people. Even if you were not born and raised in The Netherlands and only came to work abroad, you have the same rights as them. And in the event of an emergency, every citizen of The Netherlands is entitled to emergency leave. These days of vacation may be necessary when the child needs to get to school, when he gets sick, when he catches a cold, or maybe if a gas pipe in your house breaks.

Regardless of the nature of the emergency, you will be able to take a day off if an urgent problem arises in your life. As with paid leave and holidays in The Netherlands, emergency leave must be paid. If the employer refuses to do so, it is illegal.

Conclusion

Therefore, leave and holidays in The Netherlands, sick leave, and even parental leave are included in an employer's list. All you have to do is maintain an efficient communication channel with it, not abuse the days off you ask for, and respect your duty as an employee.