Vibrant working community

The Southeast Netherlands provides more than 100.000 jobs in the high-tech, automotive, and manufacturing industry and in high tech services. This portal connects you to international organizations with vacancies. Or your employment route may take you to one of the well-known international top technology companies or to one of the many much smaller innovation companies in the region. Both large and small, the prospects of a dynamic and rewarding working environment in Brainport are considerable.

Egalitarian approach
The apparent egalitarian approach in the Netherlands fits very well with Dutch company structures, which have traditionally been amongst the flattest in Europe. Therefore, the Dutch manager will rarely take an authoritarian approach to the team, preferring to be seen as the colleague who has most influence rather than as the ultimate arbiter on all decisions. This does not mean that the boss is powerless; his or her influence and control are subtler than in some other countries. Equality between genders is encouraged, so women have the same opportunities in the workplace as men.

Working culture
The way of working in the Netherlands differs from other
countries. People are rather direct in their approach and
communication. This also means that they are honest
and have no hidden agendas. A brief, firm handshake,
with good eye contact, is the normal business greeting.
Verbal communication is expected to be fairly open and
transparent. Although the official language in business
is Dutch, most business people speak English, so it is
not  necessary to have correspondence translated. At
companies where internationals are employed, the
official language is English. Importance is placed on
the efficient use of time and punctuality. Therefore,
Dutch people find it important for their guests to be on
time at meetings. Facts, statistics and other hard data
are greatly valued in dutch business. And, arguments
based on rationality are preferred to those based on
emotions.

Working practices
Working practices in the Netherlands show that business hours are usually from 9 am to 5 pm. Lunch time is around 12 o’ clock and many people bring their own lunch. As opposed to southern countries, no alcohol is served during lunch time. Vacations are
normally taken during the months of July and August as well as late December. A relatively high proportion of Dutch people work parttime, especially women. This is often a deliberate choice, allowing employees to combine work with caring for their family.

Other practicalities concerning working in the Netherlands are:

• an average of 25 to 35 days holiday, a legal right to a once-yearly payment of 8% holiday money (of yearly gross wages), a payment of 100% salary during illness (legal requirement is 70%) and a pension scheme at almost every company, partly paid by the employer. Wages in the Netherlands are among the highest in the world.
   
• Although the official language in business life is Dutch, most business people speak English, so it is not necessary to have correspondence translated. At companies where internationals are employed, the official language is English. Importance is placed on the efficient use of time and punctuality. Therefore, Dutch people find it important for their guests to be on time at meetings. Facts, statistics and other hard data are greatly valued in Dutch business. And, arguments based on rationality are preferred to those based on emotions.

Practical information

Work permit

EU citizens
People from another EU country or from the European Economic Area (except for the new EU countries Bulgaria and Romania) do not need a work permit to be able to work in the Netherlands.

Non-EU citizens
In general, all non-EU citizens will be required to have a work permit if they want to work in the Netherlands. Work permits in the Netherlands are employer and job-specific. Only the employer can apply for it.

   Citizens of Bulgaria and Romania 
Citizens of Bulgaria and Romania are not able to work in the Netherlands free of restrictions. In most cases, an employer still needs to ask the Dutch employment authorities (CWI) for a tewerkstellingsvergunning (the right to work) for such a candidate.

More information on workpermits

Avarage salary

The average salary is measured against years of experience, skills, degree, age, industry, employer and many more. There is no single answer to the question what the average salary is. On the website of pay scale you can look up what your average salary should be according to you profession, age, skills, degree, employer or other factors.
Visit the website of Pay Scale and look up what your avarage salary should be.

Rules

Employment contract
You can work for a Dutch employer with whom you have entered into an (temporary) employment contract. The employment contract includes conditions of the work you will be doing, your salary, the number of working hours, holiday allowance, and the number of leave days you are entitled to. Also other conditions can be agreed upon such as: expense allowances for moving and commuting, pension provisions, etcetera. If you work for a Dutch employer in the Netherlands, you will in most cases be subject to Dutch taxation and Dutch social security regulations for employees such as unemployment, illness, and disability (provided you meet the requirements for these social insurances).
More information on employment contracts

Employment conditions
In the Netherlands, many companies and branches have a so-called Collective Labour Agreement (Collectieve Arbeidsovereenkomst, CAO). A CAO contains supplementary rules for all employees on wages, working hours, supplementary pension, payment during illness, etc. A CAO is concluded by one or more employers, one or more employers' organisations, and one or more employees' organisations (mainly trade unions). For more information about CAOs check the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour.

Seconded employees
As a seconded employee the terms and conditions of your contract must comply with the legal rules in your home country but because you work in the Netherlands, also some Dutch rules will apply to your employment. For example, if you work in the Netherlands, you must be paid at least the Dutch minimum wage and holiday allowance, and you must comply with the working hours regulations and rest times. Your home country’s social security might still be applicable if you have a so-called E101 declaration from the Social Security board in your home country (if you are seconded from an EEA country or treaty country).
More information about seconded employees

Self-employed
As a self-employed worker, you are free to determine your own employment terms. If you are based in your home country, you must be able to prove that you are. This can be done through the Chamber of Commerce register in your country of origin.
More information about Self-employed workers