Working conditions

In the Netherlands, there are rules on working conditions to ensure your health and safety at work. 

Working in a safe and healthy way 

All the conditions under which you work are called working conditions. The rules on working conditions include rules about how long you can work and when you can take a break. There are also rules about heavy labour, hazardous substances, and health and safety. 

What arrangements must your employer make? 

Your boss must make sure you can do your work in a safe and healthy way. That is why there are rules about: 

• What a safe workplace looks like.
• What protective equipment your boss provides.
• Proper information and instructions if you work with machinery or hazardous substances.
• How your boss ensures safety at work. For example, your boss must have a company doctor and a health and safety officer. 
• How your boss prevents bullying and unethical behaviour. For example, all businesses must have a confidential adviser. 

Getting help 

If you have any questions or problems, you can get help from: 

• The confidential adviser 
• The company doctor 
• A union 
• Het Juridisch Loket 
• The Netherlands Labour Authority