Collective labour agreements (CLAs) in Leiden often provide supplementary dismissal compensations in addition to the statutory transition payment. Article 7:673 paragraph 12 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) stipulates that CLA provisions take precedence if they are more favourable to the employee. In the metal CLA, relevant for production companies in Leiden, an 'old' compensation of 1 month's salary per year of service applies, cumulative with the transition payment.
Key sectors in Leiden: Construction (Construction CLA: extra on top of transition, crucial for projects around Leiden University), Healthcare (at Alrijne Hospital up to 1.5 months per year) and Education (specific transition pot at Leiden University and Hogeschool Leiden). Check your CLA via the CLA finder on cao.nl or through local trade unions in Leiden. For VSOs in the region, the total arrangement must not be less favourable than the transition payment plus any equitable compensation.
In 2025, CLAs in Leiden remain flexible, partly due to the Transition Payment Compensation Act, which encourages employers to form pots for long-term employment relationships at the university or in the healthcare sector. Advantage: higher payouts and outplacement via Leiden agencies. Disadvantage: more complex calculations due to local CLA variations. At the District Court of The Hague, Leiden branch, the cantonal judge handles CLA disputes.
Tip: Engage trade union support via FNV or CNV in Leiden for negotiations. Local law firms in the centre of Leiden specialise in labour law.