The Netherlands: recognition of telework as a legal right

On 05 July, the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) approved an initiative bill geared towards making home working a legal right. This text, supported by the social liberal Democrats 66 party and the green left GroenLinks party, require employers to consider employees’ requests to telework as soon as their professions allow it. With this new bill, which amends the 2016 Flexible Work Act (Wfw, Wet flexibel werken) and will allow employees to secure flexible working hours as well as workplace location, the Netherlands will be one of the first countries to recognize working from home as a legal right for certain jobs. The goal is to enable a better work-life balance for employees. “The period of the coronavirus pandemic has shown us that hybrid working has advantages for a very large proportion of employees,” said Senna Matoug of the GroenLinks party, continuing, “It gives them the opportunity to find a better work-life balance and reduce travel time. That’s why this law is an important step for them.” Steven van Weyenberg (D66 party), meanwhile, pointed out that “You don’t have to be in the office to send an email to colleagues. Sometimes you can focus very well at home, getting the admin up to date, and opening the door to the plumber.” The text must now be validated by the Dutch Senate House before it can come into force.