Suppose that on Monday morning at 8:45 a.m. you are on your way from Utrecht Centraal, just merging onto the A12, and your phone rings: your employer informs you that your employment contract is ending. Those first moments determine whether you retain your WW rights and can claim a higher compensation. Follow these concrete steps and keep all options open.
Immediately demand written confirmation
A verbal dismissal offers little security. Request your employer to provide a written substantiation with the exact reason without delay. If this is missing, a valid ground is also absent. Send a brief email yourself as confirmation: "I understand that you have informed me today..."
Secure employment documents
Before your access expires, collect the following documents and send them to your private address:
- Employment contract including all annexes
- Payslips for the past twelve months plus annual statement
- Performance reviews and appraisals
- Email correspondence regarding your performance
- Applicable collective agreement (CAO) text
- Bonus schemes, pension overviews and internal company rules
Never delete business files; this may precisely constitute an urgent reason for dismissal.
Use the cooling-off period for a settlement agreement (VSO)
Are you signing a settlement agreement (vaststellingsovereenkomst)? The statutory cooling-off period of fourteen days then applies (article 7:670b BW). This period is mandatory. Signing under pressure? You may still terminate the agreement free of charge and in writing, preferably by registered post, within those fourteen days.
Engage an employment lawyer
An initial consultation with a specialised lawyer often lasts thirty to sixty minutes and costs €150-250, sometimes free of charge as an introductory meeting. The lawyer assesses whether the dismissal ground holds, whether an improvement trajectory has been followed correctly, whether the compensation is in line with the market and whether your WW entitlement remains intact. In most cases this leads to a 20-40% higher compensation. Call the Arslan office at Vredenburg 40, 3511 BD Utrecht immediately on 030-8200 200.
Secure WW rights
The dismissal ground must not be attributable. Ensure that neutral wording such as "difference of opinion" is used in the settlement agreement (VSO). Avoid phrases such as "due to underperformance" or "with immediate effect", otherwise the UWV will impose sanctions.
Crucial time limits
- 14 days — statutory cooling-off period after signing a settlement agreement (VSO)
- 2 months — time limit to annul dismissal with immediate effect (article 7:686a BW)
- 3 months — claim transition payment (transitievergoeding) via the subdistrict court judge (kantonrechter)
- 3 months — apply for WW entitlement at the UWV
What you must absolutely avoid
Do not post on LinkedIn before everything is legally clear. Do not take customer data or files that may qualify as trade secrets. Do not send angry emails to your employer; this weakens your position. Keep all communication professional. In the event of proceedings, the case will be heard by the Rechtbank Midden-Nederland.