Dutch government
Answers for Business - finding your way in Dutch rules, permits and subsidies

Working conditions

Staff working conditions must be healthy and safe. Statutory rules and regulations govern such issues as physical strain and working with hazardous substances. All business owners who employ staff are obliged to draw up a risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E). The company must also have a company emergency response team and designated health and safety officers.

Below is an overview of the rules and regulations, subsidies and taxes in relation to the topic “Working conditions”.

  1. Accommodation for foreign workers

    If you have a company in the Netherlands and you employ foreign workers on a temporary basis, you will in some ...

  2. Ban on smoking in the workplace

    The Dutch Tobacco Act (Tabakswet) specifies that every employee in the Netherlands has the right to a smoke-free ...

  3. CAO (Collective Labour Agreement)

    If you run a company in the Netherlands, you may have to deal with collective labour agreements (CAOs), which specify ...

  4. Closed-circuit television cameras

    Subject to certain conditions, you have the right as an employer to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras ...

  5. Company emergency response team (BHV)

    Every company must arrange a company emergency response team (BHV) so that employees and visitors are cared for ...

  6. Equal treatment and pay

    Employers in the Netherlands may not discriminate on the grounds of religion, philosophy of life, political persuasion, ...

  7. Harmful noise levels

    Measures must be taken when employees are exposed to harmful levels of noise. The measures to be taken depend on ...

  8. Hazardous substances, storing

    The storage of hazardous substances is subject to strict regulations. In certain cases, an environmental permit ...

  9. Hazardous substances, working with

    If your employees are (or could be) exposed to hazardous substances while carrying out their work, you are required ...

  10. Health and safety officer

    As specified in the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet), business owners must designate one or more health and safety ...

More rules...

  1. Industrial accidents, reporting

    As an employer, you are obliged to report industrial accidents to the Arbeidsinspectie (Health and Safety Inspectorate) ...

  2. Legionella infection, risk analysis and containment plan

    If you run a business in the Netherlands and there is a risk of exposure to legionella, you must comply with the ...

  3. Personal protective equipment

    If you sell personal protective equipment to consumers, you must comply with the Personal Protective Equipment ...

  4. Physical exertion

    Physical exertion includes: lifting; pushing; pulling; repetitive movements; working with an awkward posture. Employers ...

  5. Risk inventory and evaluation

    If you own a business in the Netherlands and employ staff, you are obliged to conduct a risk inventory and evaluation ...

  6. Trainees

    Trainees are employees who work for your company as part of their training/education. In the Netherlands, some ...

  7. Work equipment, test sticker

    Work equipment such as tools, machines and installations should not pose a risk to the employees on the work floor. ...

  8. Working conditions

    If you own a company in the Netherlands you must ensure a healthy and safe work place for all your personnel, including ...

  9. Works Council or staff representation

    According to the Works Councils Act (Wet op de ondernemingsraden, WOR) every business with at least 50 employees ...

  10. Young people, employment of

    In the Netherlands special rules apply to employment of young people regarding the kind of work and their working ...

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