Settlement agreement: checks and cooling-off period
A settlement agreement records arrangements for ending your employment. Read the entire proposal before accepting. The end date, income afterwards and compensation must suit your circumstances.
Final legal and language review remain open. General information does not replace advice on your case.
Full transcript
Settlement agreement: checks and cooling-off period. General information.
A settlement agreement records arrangements for ending your employment. Read the entire proposal before accepting. The end date, income afterwards and compensation must suit your circumstances.
Check who initiated the termination and the reason given. The agreement must reflect what actually happened. Standard wording does not guarantee WW unemployment benefit: UWV checks whether you meet its conditions.
An end date that is too early may stop your wages before unemployment benefit starts. UWV takes the applicable notice period into account. Have the contract type and proposed end date checked together.
A settlement agreement does not automatically create an entitlement to the statutory transition payment. You can agree a termination payment. Specify the amount and distinguish it from wages and other final arrangements.
After concluding the agreement, you can in principle withdraw your consent in writing within fourteen days. If the cooling-off period is not mentioned, it is three weeks. If uncertain, do not wait until the last day.
If you are ill, seek legal advice before signing. Termination may affect wages and benefits. Treat the cooling-off period as a safeguard, not a substitute for checking the agreement beforehand.
Read the full explanation and sources on Employment Law in the Netherlands. Have someone assess which rules apply to your situation.
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