Collective labour agreements (CLAs) often provide supplementary dismissal compensations in addition to the statutory transition payment, also for employees in Utrecht. Article 7:673 paragraph 12 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) stipulates that CLA provisions take precedence if they are more favourable to the employee. In the Utrecht metal and engineering sector, with many companies in the Amersfoort-Utrecht region, for example, an 'old' compensation of 1 month's salary per year of service applies, cumulatively with the transition payment.
Important Utrecht sectors: Construction (Construction CLA with extras on top of the transition payment, relevant for projects such as the station development), Healthcare (at UMC Utrecht and local hospitals up to 1.5 months per year of service) and Education (specific transition pots at Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences). Check your CLA via the CLA finder on cao.nl or at the Utrecht trade union offices. For VSOs in Utrecht schools, the total arrangement must not be less favourable than the transition payment plus any equitable compensation.
In 2025, CLAs in the Utrecht region remain flexible, partly due to the Transition Payment Compensation Act, which encourages employers to form pots for long-term employment relationships at local SMEs. Benefits: higher payouts, outplacement via Utrecht reintegration agencies and better labour market position in the city. Disadvantage: more complex calculations due to regional variations.
Tip: Approach Utrecht trade unions such as FNV Utrecht for negotiations or tailored advice. In disputes, the sub-district court in Utrecht decides on the basis of the CLA text and local case law.