Module 5: ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE, REORGANISATION, MERGER AND TAKEOVER IN THE NETHERLANDS

In this workshop, we discuss the provisions of Dutch Labour Law when organisations seek to reorganise, whether it is due to financial pressure or for other operational business requirements, such as a merger and/or takeover.

The processes involved can be complicated and tricky for everyone affected by such a decision: management, HR, and employees alike.

Additionally, one must be mindful of the possible application of a collective agreement which brings its own challenges, often being entirely “at odds” with contemporary HR approaches.

Complications are often also encountered when one must consider the engagement with the Works Council, Trade Unions, and other stakeholders – where do you start?

TOPICS

The following topics will be addressed in the context of Dutch Labour Law requirements, and contemporary HR change management principles and practices:

Employee engagement:

  • How do you commence the process involving organisational change – is it embarked upon in phases, or rather a “big bang” reorganisation?
  • Can employees participate in decisions around a reduction exercise, and if so, how?
  • How do you go about harmonising employment conditions after a merger or takeover?

Stakeholder engagement:

  • Where and when do you consult with all the interested and affected parties, and how do you organise and direct the interaction?
  • What are the duties of stakeholders involved in the reorganisation process?
  • How do you develop a vision for the future, in collaboration with the required stakeholders, such as, the Works Council, Trade Unions, and any other external “stakeholders”?
  • What happens when there is a review of the economic dismissal by the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) or sub-district court judge?

 Legislative requirements:

  • What are the legal requirements when embarking on a (new) organisational philosophy or model?
  • What is a “due diligence” investigation, when is it needed and what does it entail?
  • What are the requirements of a reorganisation and/or social plan?
  • What are the processes involved when pursuing organisational change within the context of Dutch Labour Law?
  • When can you unilaterally change the employment conditions?

 Dismissal procedures:

  • Once dismissal is required, how are decisions around selection criteria made?
  • What are some of the common selection criteria used, such as the reflection principle (afspiegelings beginsel) and seniority (last-in-first-out) principles?
  • How are collective dismissal implemented, with reference to the Collective Dismissal Notification Act (Wet melding collectief ontslag)?

 RESULTS

After completing this course, you will have:

  • gained insight into the challenges, facts and possibilities with regard to any organisational change, whether it is a reorganisation, merger or takeover;
  • knowledge to design the required processes effectively and carefully within the Dutch legal framework, while using the new organisational philosophy as the guiding principle; and
  • learnt, as a manager or HR-professional, how you can support constructive engagement between the affected stakeholders.

 ALL PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE A ‘CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT’ FOLLOWING THEIR ATTENDANCE

To register, complete the form below!

Workshop location

The workshops are held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Villa Mollerus (Mollerusstraat 1) in Baarn, 10 m. walk from Baarn train station, circa 30 min. from Amsterdam and Utrecht. The workshops always include an extensive lunch, in the same building.

‘On location’ workshops are hybrid, i.e. they allow for online participation as well, which works well given the fact that we work in small groups (maximum number of 8 participants). The prices for the on-site and online workshops are the same.

Options

This one-day workshop is one of seven modules of the Learning path Dutch labour law and HRM for contemporary management. We also offer this workshop as an in-company or as a one-on-one session, customized to the needs of your organization and yourself. 

Dates in 2024

Your investment

There is no prescribed order for completing our Dutch Labour Law & HR programme though it is advisable to start with Module 1 as it deals with the basics of Dutch Employment Law, followed by Module 2.

You can also book this course as a one-day workshop. Investment: € 997 excluding VAT (including reading materials, lunch, tea/coffee) payable in advance.

Included is a 30-minute to one-hour personal intake & advice session (online) – remember, it’s all about you!

If your branch, professional or network organisation has a cooperation agreement with us, a discount may be applicable. Indicate this under remarks during registration, making reference to your organisation

CERTIFICATE

We provide a ‘Certificate of Achievement’.

Recommendations

The course was extremely useful – I feel a lot more informed and confident to purse matters in the workplace. I like the approach – not ‘death by powerpoint’! Was never boring. About the trainer: 10/10, very easy to listen to, engaging and relaxed. I like the inclusion of group experience and advice too.

Janine Smith

Sofis

Really useful course for my work. I work in HR in the Netherlands for a mid-large size company. It really showed me areas we aren’t doing things correctly, and where we can improve.

Jeanie Edwards

Backbase B.V.

I appreciated that the trainer could share his rich experience in Dutch employment law and that we could discuss specific practical examples in a small group of participants.

Kerstin Herzog

Brunswick EMEA

Content was well paced and all suitable for application in an HR setting. Arthur was a very good trainer in that he not only explained what the law states but he also gave some very good examples that were easy to grasp and see how the law is applied. (10/10 via Springest)

Tessa Marie van Avendonk

Corinthia Hotel, HR Manager

It was an amazing training day filled with essential Dutch employment topics and we were able to address personal workplace scenarios to help us navigate our policies/new approaches right away. Arthur was a great with many insights. I would highly recommend! facilitator with many insights. I would highly recommend! (10/10 via Springest)

Cassandra Rodenhurst

SilverFlow, HR Manager

Registration form