Netherlands
Governed by Arbeidstijdenwet (ATW). 40 h/week, max 12 h/day, 60 h/week. Average cap 48 h over 16 weeks. Daily rest 11 h. No general clock-in obligation but traceability required. Wet Werken Waar Je Wil (remote work) under parliamentary review.
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Statutory working time
40 h ordinary · max 12 h/day and 60 h/wk absolute · 48 h avg 16 wks
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary | 40 h/wk | ATW Art. 5:5 | Reference |
| Max daily | 12 h | ATW Art. 5:7 | With comp rest |
| Max weekly | 60 h | ATW Art. 5:7 | Absolute for 1 week |
| 4-week avg | 55 h | ATW Art. 5:7 | — |
| 16-week avg | 48 h | ATW Art. 5:7 | CBA may reduce |
Overtime
No specific statutory definition · CBA/contract frames · TOIL common
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overtime | No statutory definition | — | By CBA or contract |
| Premium | Per CBA | CBA | 25-100 % typical |
| TOIL | Very common | CBA | Time bank |
| Cap | 60 h/wk 12 h/d | ATW Art. 5:7 | Statutory cap |
Rest & breaks
11 h daily · 36 h weekly (over 7 d) or 72 h/14 d · mandatory breaks
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily rest | 11 h | ATW Art. 5:3 | Reducible to 8 h/wk |
| Weekly rest | 36 h consec/7 d | ATW Art. 5:5 | Or 72 h/14 d |
| Break >5.5 h | 30 min | ATW Art. 5:4 | Splittable 15 min |
| Break >10 h | 45 min | ATW Art. 5:4 | 30+15 or 45 single |
Night / Sunday / holiday work
Night defined 12am-6am · 10 h cap · 11-12 holidays depending on CBA
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night work | 12am-6am (at least 1 h) | ATW Art. 1:7 | Standard definition |
| Night cap | 10 h/day | ATW Art. 5:8 | Per 24 h |
| Regular night cap | 16 nights/16 wks | ATW Art. 5:8 | CBA may strengthen |
| Holidays | No statutory guaranteed | CBA | Recognized by custom |
| Sunday | Sunday work per CBA | ATW Art. 5:6 | At least 13 Sundays/yr |
Time recording
No general clock-in mandatory · 48 h ATW traceability obligation
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obligation | Time worked register | ATW Art. 4:3 | Show cap compliance |
| Method | Employer’s choice | ATW | Paper or electronic |
| Retention | 52 weeks | ATW Art. 4:3 | Available to inspector |
| Penalties | Up to €13,500 | ATW Art. 10:1 | Admin fine |
Remote & flex work
Flexibel Werken Act: request possible · WWJW (rejected 2024) · disconnect not statutory
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal framework | WFW (Flexibel Werken) | Since 2016 | Remote request possible |
| WWJW (location) | Rejected by Senate 2024 | Bill | No legal right |
| Remote allowance | €2.40/day untaxed | Tax Office | 2026 cap |
| Right to disconnect | Not statutory | — | Possible by agreement |
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