What to do if an employment contract changes?

Questioner

I have a permanent contract for 32 hours a week, now my employer wants to reduce that to 16 hours a week, is this possible? What are my rights in this? Is dismissal not better for me because if I agree to this I will also lose my right to 32 hours of unemployment benefits and will this become unemployment benefits for 16 hours?

Lawyer

No, that is not possible. Your employer cannot determine this unilaterally. If he wants to do so, you must either agree to it, or he must submit a dismissal permit application to the UWV if it concerns a dismissal for economic reasons, or request dissolution from the subdistrict court because it is a personal reason. It is possible that the employment contract is terminated in its entirety, with the employer's obligation to offer you a new employment contract under the same conditions, but for 16 hours. If you simply agree without this being properly recorded in an agreement, you will not be entitled to unemployment benefits for the hours you lose. You can contact me if you would like to discuss further what is sensible in your situation.