Zero-hours contract

With a zero-hours contract (0 hours contract), you only work when your employer asks you to. This means you do not have fixed hours and do not know in advance how much you will work. This type of contract is often used for temporary or flexible work. 

No fixed number of hours 

If you have a zero-hours contract in the Netherlands, you only work when you are asked to. You do not have a fixed number of hours. Sometimes you work a lot, sometimes little or not at all. You only get paid for the hours you work.  

Types 

There are three types of on-call contracts: 

1. On-call contract with a preparatory agreement 
2. Zero-hours contract 
3. Min-max contract 

If you work under one of these contracts for three months, you may ask for a contract with the average number of hours you worked. Ask your employer about this. After 12 months, your employer must offer you a contract with the average number of hours you worked.  

Sufficient notice 

If you have a zero-hours contract, your boss must let you know when you have to work at least four days in advance. If your boss does not give you this much notice, you do not have to come into work. You must receive an e-mail, WhatsApp message or written instruction telling you when you have to work. Make proper arrangements about how you can be reached. 

Cancelling work 

If your boss cancels the work within four days or changes the working hours, you will still be paid for those hours. 

Less notice in CAO

Some CAOs state that less notice can be given, for example one day’s notice. If so, that arrangement applies. 

Fixed number of hours after one year 

If you been working under an on-call contract for one year, your boss must give you a contract with fixed hours. This must be done within a month. You then be given the number of hours you worked on average in the past year. 

Example  

If you worked an average of 100 hours a month, you will be entitled to 100 hours per month. 

If you prefer to remain on-call, you can do this. You can refuse the offer. In that case, your boss must make you a new offer every year. 

Seasonal work 

If you do seasonal work, for example in agriculture or at the beach, different rules might apply. In some cases, your boss does not have to give you fixed hours. This is stated in the CAO. In that case, you must do the work for no more than nine months a year. 

Work through an employment agency 

If you work through an employment agency, you might have a zero-hours contract and also a temporary employment clause. This means your work will stop immediately when the job at the company where you work ends.  

What if you are an on-call worker and you become sick? 

If you are an on-call worker and you become sick, you might continue to be paid your wages. Sometimes you get money from UWV in the form of sickness benefit. This depends on your on-call contract. 

Holidays 

If you have a zero-hours contract, you are entitled to holiday days and holiday pay. You build up holiday days based on the hours you have worked. Every year your entitlement is four times the number of hours you work per week. If you work different hours every week, your employer will calculate your entitlement based on each hour you worked. Ask your boss how it is calculated, or check your contract or CAO.