Working the Netherlands

Salaries, working hours and holidays

Salaries, working hours and vacations are different between most countries. Luckily, in the Netherlands there are many protective laws for the employee that cover these areas. Have a look below for here for some general information.

The cost of living in The Netherlands used to be fairly cheap. However, since the introduction of the Euro, prices have gone up dramatically. Today, Dutch people love to talk about is how expensive everything has become and how much they miss the Guilder (the previous Dutch currency).

Salaries

Wages are average compared to the rest of Europe. They are higher than in Spain and Italy, but lower than in England and Germany. The average salary is from €25,000 to €30,000 a year.

Salaries are talked about with either on a monthly or yearly base. Comparisons on an hourly or weekly basis are usually only done for part-time jobs. Salaries are usually paid monthly at the end of the month. Twice a year you will receive an extra payment. Once at Christmas (sometimes as a 13th month), and in summer (June/July) which is considerd as vacation money. However, you have often been automatically paying this vacation money through a monthly countribution out of your salary.

Working hours

According to Dutch law you are allowed to work a maximum of 9 hours a day and 45 hours a week. However, a person is only allowed to work 2080 hours a year, thus the average working week is 40 hours. The working week is usually Monday to Friday, depending on the type of work. Also, there is a legal minimum of one day's rest a week, normally Sunday. Normal hours are 09:00 to 18:00 with two 15 minute breaks and an hour and a half lunch break. Many people don't take breaks, eat their lunch at their desk and then leave at 17:00 instead of at 18:00.

Vacations

You are entitled to a minimum of 20 days a year for holidays. Employers often allow five extra days. Employees receive normal pay during their holidays. Unfortunately there are few national holidays in Holland, so you do not get many extra days. Dutch people however feel they are entitled to sick leave, so many people stay at home for several days a year just because they feel like it.

How to find work in the Netherlands

As in most places, there is more than one way to find a job in the Netherlands. Our advice is you should try all possible ways to find a job, because the job market in Holland is very competitive.

The internet is a good starting point. Check the classifieds section in printed media. Use all your personal contacts. Apply speculatively to as many companies as possible. The more you do, the higher the chance you'll find a job quickly. Dutch companies are fairly quick in replying to your application and take all applications seriously. If you have not receive a reply within 3-4 weeks, do not hesitate to give them a call. Also, your CV should be in line with the Dutch standards.

Internet

Internet is the fastest, easiest and cheapest tool for jobhunting. There are lots of job search sites on the Internet. You can actively search for jobs matching your profile by setting the search criterea. Also you can register and leave your CV in job databases for employers to find when they do their searches for employees. Also, most companies have a website where you can search their current vacancies and apply to them online, or apply speculatively. Applying speculatively is very common in Holland.

Personal contacts

This is usually the easiest way to find a job. Ask family, friends, neighbours, teachers, colleagues or acquaintances to keep their ears open for job opportunities in their company or of their contacts. Sometimes people will even put a good word in for you with their employer. This can be very helpful as the Dutch take personal recommendations very seriously for job applications.

Media advertisements

Get the Dutch newspapers and look in the classifieds section. The Saturday editions of all the national newspapers, such as Algemeen Dagblad, NRC Handelsblad, de Telegraaf , and de Volkskrant, are full of job offers. From Mondays to Fridays you can find the Metro and Spits in bus and train stations - these are free and carry many job ads. There are special classifieds papers for sale with large job sections.

The public employment service (CWI, Centre for Work and Income) plays an important role in the Dutch labour market. They help people find jobs. CWI's are very involved, proactive and give you as much help yas you ask for with your jobsearch. They also give good advice and information. To get help from the CWI you need a SOFI-nummer (every Dutch citizen obtains a personal registration number, called SOFI-nummer, at the age of fourteen). Foreign people can get a SOFI-nummer at the tax office (Belastingdienst).

Private employment agencies

A really good source for jobs are the so called uitzendbureaus (employment agencies) and headhunters. These are professionals in the placement of employees, for either long-term or temporary employment. They will almost always be able to find you a suitable job, as long as you are flexible.