Starting Work in the Netherlands
Prepare for your first working day, understand your contract and schedule, complete workplace training and know what to do if something is unclear.
What should you expect when starting a job in the Netherlands?
You should receive clear information about your employer, workplace, job, salary, working hours and employment conditions. Dutch employers must provide employees with a written employment contract or written statement containing the main terms of employment.
Your first day normally includes identity and document checks, an introduction to the workplace, safety instructions, practical training and an explanation of attendance, breaks and reporting procedures.
What should you confirm before your first working day?
Do not rely only on a short message or verbal explanation. Ask for the practical information in writing and save it on your phone.
Workplace address
Confirm the full address, building, gate, department and meeting point. Large industrial sites can have several entrances.
Start time and shift
Check when you must be ready to work, not only when transport leaves or the building opens.
Travel arrangement
Confirm the route, driver, pickup point, vehicle or public-transport connection and allow extra time.
Clothing and equipment
Ask what the employer supplies and what you must bring, including footwear, workwear or identification.
What should be clear in your employment contract?
The employer must give you written information about the main employment conditions. Read the contract before signing and ask for an explanation of anything you do not understand.
Legal employer
Check the name of the company or employment agency that employs you and pays your salary.
Job and workplace
Confirm the position, main duties, work location and whether you can be assigned to other locations.
Hours and salary
Check the agreed hours, hourly or periodic wage, payment frequency, allowances and overtime conditions.
Contract duration
Confirm the start date, end date where applicable, notice conditions and whether a trial period is included.
What normally happens on your first day?
The exact onboarding process depends on the sector and employer. Warehouses, factories, construction sites, technical companies, workshops and transport companies may each use different access, safety and training procedures.
Report to the correct person
Arrive early and contact the supervisor, reception, planner or agency coordinator named in your instructions.
Complete identity and access checks
The employer may verify your identity, employment documents and certificates before issuing an access card or workplace badge.
Receive workplace instructions
You may be shown changing rooms, break areas, emergency exits, time-registration systems and workplace rules.
Complete safety training
Listen carefully, ask questions and do not begin unfamiliar work until you understand the hazards and safe procedure.
Start supervised work
Many employers use practical instruction, shadowing or a training period before expecting independent work.
What are your basic workplace safety responsibilities?
Good working conditions apply to foreign workers, temporary workers and directly employed workers. Employers must manage workplace risks and provide the necessary information, instruction and protective equipment where required.
Follow instructions
Use machines, tools, chemicals and vehicles only as instructed and only when you are authorised and trained.
Wear required PPE
Use supplied protective equipment such as safety shoes, gloves, hearing protection, eye protection or a helmet.
Report unsafe situations
Tell the supervisor immediately about damaged equipment, missing guards, spills, blocked exits or dangerous behaviour.
Report accidents
Report injuries, near misses and workplace accidents through the employer’s procedure, even when the injury initially appears minor.
Never guess when safety is involved
If you do not understand an instruction, machine, chemical label, lifting method or traffic route, stop and request an explanation. Language difficulties should be reported before starting the task.
How should you manage shifts, breaks and attendance?
Dutch working-time and rest rules apply, but actual schedules and allowances depend on the sector, applicable collective agreement, employment contract and workplace planning.
Clocking in and out
Learn how hours are registered and check that each shift, break and overtime period is recorded correctly.
Breaks
Take breaks at the times and locations instructed. Whether a break is paid depends on the applicable conditions.
Overtime
Do not assume every extra hour has the same payment rate. Check whether time, money or an allowance applies.
Absence and lateness
Contact the correct person as early as possible. Follow the employer’s reporting procedure rather than only messaging a colleague.
Who is responsible when you work through an agency?
With agency work, the employment agency is usually the legal employer and the client company directs the daily work. This means you may have different contacts for salary, scheduling, workplace supervision, housing and transport.
Agency contact
Use this contact for the contract, salary, payslip, accommodation, transport and administrative questions.
Workplace supervisor
Use this contact for daily tasks, quality, safety, breaks, production and workplace instructions.
Planner or coordinator
This person may manage shift schedules, changes, absence reporting and transport arrangements.
Keep written evidence
Save schedules, messages, hour statements, contracts and reports of any problem or change.
What should you check before your first salary payment?
Confirm the payment schedule and make sure your employer has the correct bank and personal information. The payslip should show how the final net payment was calculated.
Bank account
Provide the correct account details and verify the account holder name. Never send security codes or banking login details.
Payment date
Ask whether salary is paid weekly, every four weeks or monthly and when the first payment is expected.
Recorded hours
Compare the paid hours with your own record and the approved workplace registration.
Payslip
Review gross salary, allowances, holiday allowance, deductions, payroll tax and net payment.
What should you do if something is wrong?
Identify the correct contact
Use the supervisor for daily work and safety issues, and the employment agency or HR department for contracts, salary and administration.
Explain the issue clearly
State what happened, when it happened, who was involved and what correction or explanation you need.
Put important matters in writing
After a verbal conversation, send a short written confirmation so there is a record.
Seek independent information
Work in NL information points can provide free explanations and advice about contracts, wages, housing, healthcare and taxes.
Prepare for the complete employment process
Starting work is connected to your documents, transport, accommodation, salary and everyday arrangements.
Frequently asked questions about starting work
What should I bring on my first working day?
Bring the items requested by the employer or agency, which may include your original identity document, work clothing, safety shoes, certificates, lunch and travel information.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive early enough to find the correct entrance, complete access procedures and be ready before the scheduled start time.
Must I receive a written contract?
Your employer must provide written information containing the main employment conditions. Always ask for and keep your own copy.
Can my employer include a trial period?
A trial period is possible only when the legal requirements are met and it is agreed in writing. The maximum length depends on the contract.
What if I do not understand the safety training?
Stop and request a clear explanation before beginning the task. Do not guess when machinery, chemicals, vehicles or workplace hazards are involved.
Who provides safety equipment?
Where personal protective equipment is required by the work and risk assessment, the employer must provide the necessary equipment.
Who should I call if I am sick?
Follow the sickness-reporting procedure and contact the specified employer or agency representative as early as possible.
How are my working hours recorded?
The system differs by employer. You may use a badge, clock, application, paper form or supervisor approval. Keep your own record as well.
When will I receive my first salary?
It depends on the employer’s payment cycle and payroll cut-off. Confirm the exact schedule before starting.
What should I check on my payslip?
Check the payment period, hours, gross wage, allowances, holiday allowance, deductions, payroll tax and final net payment.
Who is my employer if I work through an agency?
The employment agency is usually the legal employer, while the client company supervises your daily work. Check the contract for the exact arrangement.
Where can I get independent employment advice?
Work in NL information points offer free explanations and advice about contracts, wages, housing, healthcare and taxes.
Find a job and prepare for your first working day
Review current vacancies and confirm the contract, workplace, schedule, accommodation and transport conditions connected to each position.