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Draft translation. The rules concern Dutch employment law; have their application to your situation assessed. About our content
Work & rights · practical guides · Contracts & terms

I am offered a new employment contract

A new contract concerns your future work and restrictions after leaving. Compare the offer, collective agreement and attachments before focusing only on salary. This guide helps structure your questions and your first period at work.

Sources (32)View the sources usedSources current as of:
Your route in three steps

Choose your next step

Check the basic terms

Compare employer, role, hours, workplace, start date, duration and pay with the offer. Ask which collective agreement, pension scheme and staff policies apply and whether you have every attachment. For variable hours, record how rotas and predictable pay are arranged.

Read restrictions and exceptions

Check probation, early termination, non-compete or non-solicitation clauses and training costs. Identify obligations that may continue during work and after leaving. Ask about their precise scope and conditions; calling it a standard contract says nothing about its consequences for you.

Keep the final agreements

Store the signed version, attachments and confirmed promises somewhere safe that you control. Check hours, wages and allowances in the first pay period. If you previously did the same work under a fixed-term contract or through an agency, also check the sequence of contracts.

A practical example

The offer and attachment differ

Hybrid working was promised in the discussion, while an attachment refers only to office work. Ask which arrangement will apply and have it recorded clearly before relying on the oral promise.

My workbook

Gather these documents

Questions about this route

Must an employment contract always be in writing?

An employment contract can also arise in other ways, but the employer must provide important information in writing. Additional requirements apply to certain clauses. Written confirmation helps avoid evidence disputes.

Is every non-compete clause valid?

No. Contract type, wording and circumstances matter. Have both validity and practical consequences assessed before accepting or ignoring a clause.

What if an oral agreement is missing?

Ask for it to be included or confirmed before agreeing and keep the reply. Do not assume an informal promise automatically overrides conflicting contractual wording.

Sources (32)

Sources and editorial notes

This preparation guide is our own editorial work. The primary sources below support the linked in-depth articles. Check the stated source date and obtain an assessment of any agreement or procedure for your own situation.

Sources current as of:

The source publications are in Dutch. All language editions cover Dutch law.

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I am offered a new employment contractA new contract concerns your future work and restrictions after leaving. Compare the offer, collective agreement and attachments before focusing only on salary. This guide helps structure your questions and your first period at work.
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