The law states that the employment contracts which you agree with your employees have to be put in writing. A number of sectors use a CAO (Collective Labour Agreement) specific to the sector.

These state the agreed conditions of employment. An individual employment contract must not contravene the conditions of the CAO. More information on CAOs is available from employers' organizations and the Arbeidsinspecties (Dutch Labour Inspectorates).

What information is in an employment contract?

• Job description
• Type of employment agreement (permanent, temporary, on-call, zero hours)
• Length of the employment (definite or indefinite period)
• Length of the trial period
• Working hours
• Notice period
• Number of holidays
• Salary
• Sickness rules
• Working conditions
• Identification requirements
• Any pension schemes
• Any competition clauses