Before starting any job search, it is essential to learn about labor regulations in your target field and place. Do you want to start your career in the Netherlands? Are you looking for the necessary tips to take the right career path and benefit from your skills and expertise? If yes, here are the top bizarre facts behind getting started in the Netherlands with top professional guidelines.

Working in the Netherlands:

Employment in the Netherlands is selective and rewarding. Each applicant has a set of skills and knowledge that might contribute to the sought after profile. Getting a job is not about submitting countless applications. It is rather about learning the job market, meeting the requirements, and settling on the matching opportunities. The Netherlands has a highly regulated labor market. It includes various benefits such as a mandatory annual, paid leaves and extra working hours. If you are planning to start your career in the Netherlands, you need to conduct research on the most in-demand specialties, application procedures and recruitment process. Fratres is the best job portal that provides detailed information about getting started in your dream destination. Signing up to Fratres includes both employers and job seekers. Here are the bizarre facts that you need to know in case of being a new graduate, apprentice, or a simple internet user.

1.Know about the Working Hours:

How many  working hours are entitled in the Netherlands? Working hours depend on the type of employment ( full-time or part-job jobs).

Weekly full-time working hours are 38 hour/per week. But, some salaried contracts are varying between 36 and 40 hours per week. Although various European countries are following  the 40-hour weekly schedule, in the Netherlands, very few companies are insisting on 8 hours a day jobs.

2. the Possibility of Part-time Employment in Leading Industries:

Although the majority of the public sector is providing full-time employment which gives the right to a higher salary at the end of the month, there is a possibility to find part-time employment in various professional fields that doesn’t recruit too many human resources. Any work less than 36 hours per week is considered a part-time job. In 2016, according to OECD statistics, the Netherlands was the leading OECD country in terms of the use of part-time contracts, with nearly 37% of the active population working under this type of contract.

3. Possibility of Splitting the Week:

One of the bizarre facts about employment in the Netherlands is that a worker or employee can work 4 days a week. Surprising, isn’t it? This trend allows a significant proportion of Dutch people to work 4 days a week instead of 5 for an average of 29 hours a week. This split schedule gives more importance to personal life compared to other careers in neighboring countries. splitting weekly working hours is common in OECD countries and has the name of “The Dutch Balancing Act”.

4. Flexible Working Conditions:

As a job seeker, you may have wondered How many days off does an employee have in the Netherlands? The dutch government provides 20 days paid annual leave. In order to attract the best profiles, Dutch companies do not hesitate to offer 24, 28 or even 32 days of annual leave to their employees. The rest of leaves such as sick leaves, maternity leaves are regulated depending on the employees conditions, days off, as mentioned in the employment contract. Concerning maternity leaves, its period is up to 16 weeks, while paternity leave is only 2 paid days. Take a look at 15 Simple (But Important) Things To Remember About A CV.

5. Payment and Salaries in the Netherlands

When you are choosing your career, you will conduct research on salaries, so that at least you will have a general idea about its expected salary. The minimum wage is adjusted each year by the government. The net amount varies according to your tax category, your health insurance, and other benefits offered by your employer. It is difficult to give an exact number, as it varies from one sector to another. Take a look at; You Should Experience Career Development At Least Once In Your Lifetime And Here's Why.

6. Get Labor Regulations updates in the Netherlands?

If you are interested in knowing the specific labor regulations in a specific field, take a look at the following portals. These websites are specialized in providing the latest news about the Dutch world of work.

Business.gov.nl: The official government portal for entrepreneurs, which contains extensive information on labor regulations.

Immigration and Naturalization Service: The portal for immigration to the Netherlands with many files related to the exercise of a professional activity in the country.

IAmExpat.nl: An independent portal for expatriates in the Netherlands covering all the information necessary to settle and develop your career in the country.

7. understand the Different Types of Professional Contracts in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has flexible solutions to regulate temporary or long term employment. Here is the list  of the professional contracts you should expect in the country:

Open-ended contract or “Vast Contract”

You are hired without a contract end date, and have increased security. This contract can only be terminated at your request, or if your employer has a valid reason under the law, after a period of notice.

Fixed-term contracts or “Tijdelijk Contract”

It is a contract with a fixed period of work. It is possible for an employee to chain up to 3 fixed-term contracts for the same employer, or to work for up to 2 years under this status. Beyond that, for any renewal or longer duration, the employee has the right to a permanent contract to continue his mission.

Contracts with a temporary work agency or “Uitzendcontract”

Temporary contracts are arranged for short-term employment. These contracts don’t grant similar protection such as paid leaves and holidays.

The Zero-hour contract or “Nul uren contract”

This type is widely used in English speaking countries, like England. The Zero-hour contract allows an employer to have you sign for a fixed or indefinite period an entirely flexible employment contract, where he calls on your services every week according to his needs. Employees working under this type of contract generally have several employers to ensure a constant income, and to avoid disappointments.

These were the top 7 bizzare facts about getting started in the Netherlands. The professional field varies on every occasion depending on the type of contract and the conditions of work.