Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR)
The Dutch Works Councils Act: an employer with 50 or more workers must set up a works council, give it facilities, paid time, training and information, consult it twice a year, ask its advice before major decisions (including introducing an important technological facility) and obtain its consent before adopting or changing any staff arrangement on 13 subjects, including the processing of staff personal data (27(1)(k)) and any system suitable for monitoring presence, behaviour or performance (27(1)(l)); without consent the decision is void once the council invokes nullity. Smaller employers hold staff meetings and may have an employee representation body.
Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) is a compliance framework from Netherlands with 7 domains and 73 controls that map to 2 other frameworks. The largest domains are Advice right (arts 25 and 30) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) (19 controls), Consent right (art. 27) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) (16 controls), Instituting works councils and representation (arts 2 to 5a, 33, 35b to 35d, 48) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) (13 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.
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Framework Domains (7)
Advice right (arts 25 and 30) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(a) | Art. 25(1)(a) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: transfer of control |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(b) | Art. 25(1)(b) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: group structure and cooperation |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(c) | Art. 25(1)(c) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: closure |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(d) | Art. 25(1)(d) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: change of activities |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(e) | Art. 25(1)(e) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: reorganisation |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(f) | Art. 25(1)(f) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: relocation |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(g) | Art. 25(1)(g) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: group recruitment and hiring in |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(h) | Art. 25(1)(h) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: investment |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(i) | Art. 25(1)(i) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: borrowing |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(j) | Art. 25(1)(j) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: credit and security for others |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(k) | Art. 25(1)(k) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: important technological facility |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(l) | Art. 25(1)(l) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: environmental measures |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(m) | Art. 25(1)(m) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: self-insurance of social security risks |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(1)(n) | Art. 25(1)(n) Ask the works council's advice on a proposed decision: external advice assignments |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(2) | Art. 25(2) Submit the proposed decision in writing, early enough for the advice to influence it |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(3) | Art. 25(3) Give the council the reasons, the consequences for staff and the planned measures |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(5) | Art. 25(5) Inform the council in writing of the decision and the reasons for departing from its advice |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::25(6) | Art. 25(6) Suspend implementation for one month where the decision departs from the council's advice |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::30 | Art. 30 Ask the council's advice on appointing or dismissing a director |
Consent right (art. 27) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(a) | Art. 27(1)(a) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: pension, profit-sharing and savings arrangements |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(b) | Art. 27(1)(b) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: working hours, rest times and holidays |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(c) | Art. 27(1)(c) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: pay and job evaluation |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(d) | Art. 27(1)(d) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: working conditions, sickness absence and reintegration |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(e) | Art. 27(1)(e) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: appointment, dismissal and promotion policy |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(f) | Art. 27(1)(f) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: staff training |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(g) | Art. 27(1)(g) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: staff appraisal |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(h) | Art. 27(1)(h) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: company social work |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(i) | Art. 27(1)(i) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: work consultation |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(j) | Art. 27(1)(j) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: complaints handling |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(k) | Art. 27(1)(k) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: processing and protection of staff personal data |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(l) | Art. 27(1)(l) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: personnel tracking systems (monitoring of presence, behaviour or performance) |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(1)(m) | Art. 27(1)(m) Obtain the works council's consent to a staff arrangement: whistleblowing reporting procedure |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(2) | Art. 27(2) Submit consent matters in writing with reasons and consequences, and notify the decision and its start date |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(3) | Art. 27(3) Rely on a collective agreement exemption only where it regulates the matter in substance |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::27(4) | Art. 27(4) Seek the cantonal court's permission rather than act without consent |
Consultation meetings (arts 23 and 24) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::23(1) | Art. 23(1) Meet the works council within two weeks of a reasoned request and agree meeting arrangements |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::23(2) | Art. 23(2) Discuss employment terms and pay ratios with the council annually at 100 or more workers |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::23(3) | Art. 23(3) Decide on written council proposals only after consultation and answer in writing with reasons |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::24(1) | Art. 24(1) Discuss the general course of business twice a year and announce decisions in preparation |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::24(2) | Art. 24(2) Ensure supervisory board members attend the general course of business meetings |
Facilities, time, costs and protection of council members (arts 17 to 22) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::17 | Art. 17 Provide facilities, let the council consult staff and let it meet in paid working time |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::18(1) | Art. 18(1) Grant council and committee members paid time for deliberation, at least 60 hours a year |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::18(2) | Art. 18(2) Grant paid training days to council and committee members at the statutory minimums |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::20 | Art. 20 Impose confidentiality on the council only by stating in advance what is covered and for how long |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::21 | Art. 21 Ensure candidates, members and former members are not disadvantaged |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::22 | Art. 22 Bear the council's reasonably necessary costs, including experts and training |
Further powers and supervision (arts 29, 32, 49) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::29 | Art. 29 Let the council appoint at least half of the board of staff institutions |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::32(2) | Art. 32(2) Record extra council powers in a written agreement and send a copy to the business committee |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::49 | Art. 49 Answer the ministry's requests for information on instituting and running works councils |
Information to the works council (arts 31 to 31f) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::31(1) | Art. 31(1) Supply on request, in good time and in writing if asked, all information the council reasonably needs |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::31(2) | Art. 31(2) Give the council the undertaking's legal and control structure at the start of each term |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::31a(1) | Art. 31a(1) Report activities and results at least twice a year |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::31a(2) | Art. 31a(2) Provide the annual accounts, management report and group or substitute figures for discussion |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::31a(6) | Art. 31a(6) Report expectations for the coming period, including all investments, at least twice a year |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::31a(7) | Art. 31a(7) Provide any multi-year plan, forecast or budget with an explanation |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::31b(1) | Art. 31b(1) Report workforce numbers and social policy annually, with expectations for the coming year |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::31b(3) | Art. 31b(3) Report on temporary agency workers annually |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::31c | Art. 31c Notify the council of an intended external advice assignment on a consent matter |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::31d | Art. 31d Report employment terms per group, board pay and supervisory fees annually at 100 or more workers |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::31f | Art. 31f Inform the council in writing of proposed changes to pension implementation agreements |
Instituting works councils and representation (arts 2 to 5a, 33, 35b to 35d, 48) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::2(1) | Art. 2(1) Institute a works council at 50 or more workers and observe the Act towards it |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::3 | Art. 3 Institute a joint works council where it serves the Act's proper application |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::33 | Art. 33 Institute central and group works councils where they serve the Act's proper application |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::35b(1) | Art. 35b(1) Hold staff meetings at least twice a year in undertakings with 10 to 49 workers |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::35b(4) | Art. 35b(4) Discuss the general course of business with staff annually in undertakings with 10 to 49 workers |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::35b(5) | Art. 35b(5) Ask staff for advice on decisions affecting jobs or working conditions of a quarter of them |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::35b(6) | Art. 35b(6) Give staff information on pensions and on pension implementation agreements |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::35c(2) | Art. 35c(2) Institute an employee representation body when a majority of staff request it |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::35c(4) | Art. 35c(4) Obtain the employee representation body's consent on working time, working conditions and whistleblowing arrangements |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::35c(7) | Art. 35c(7) Consult the employee representation body on pensions on its reasoned request |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::4 | Art. 4 Institute a separate works council for a division where it serves the Act's proper application |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::48 | Art. 48 Adopt provisional rules of procedure until the works council adopts its own |
| netherlands-works-councils-act-wor::5a(2) | Art. 5a(2) Notify the business committee of a voluntary works council and of its abolition |
Maps to 2 other frameworks
Coverage is not the same as your position
This page shows what Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) overlaps with in general. Where your organisation actually stands, against the standard you are going for and the certifications you already hold, is a different question. Same graph and the same recorded refutations, scoped to you rather than to a pair.
The Compliance Position Diagnostic, $5,000 fixed, ten business daysWhat is Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) and who does it apply to?
Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) is a compliance framework from Netherlands with 7 domains and 73 controls. The Dutch Works Councils Act: an employer with 50 or more workers must set up a works council, give it facilities, paid time, training and information, consult it twice a year, ask its advice before major decisions (including introducing an important technological facility) and obtain its consent before adopting or changing any staff arrangement on 13 subjects, including the processing of staff personal data (27(1)(k)) and any system suitable for monitoring presence, behaviour or performance (27(1)(l)); without consent the decision is void once the council invokes nullity. Smaller employers hold staff meetings and may have an employee representation body. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
What does Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) actually require?
Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) has 73 controls organised across 7 domains. The largest domains are Advice right (arts 25 and 30) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) (19 controls), Consent right (art. 27) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) (16 controls), Instituting works councils and representation (arts 2 to 5a, 33, 35b to 35d, 48) – Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) (13 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
If I already comply with another framework, how much of Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) do I already cover?
Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR) maps to 2 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are GDPR (4% coverage), ISO 27001:2022 (3% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I implement Netherlands Works Councils Act (WOR)?
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