Time is deducted from time, is that allowed?

Questioner

Last month I started working at the Supermarket. This month I worked 70.25 hours to my knowledge. However, last week my salary was deposited with a deduction of 16:00 hours. In consultation with my manager he told me that this would be about "time for time hours". So according to him I could use that 16:00 to request time off in the future. Only I don't understand myself now how it is possible that if I have a zero-hour contract, I have to hand in hours of my worked hours in order to be allowed to ask for time off in the future. In principle, when I ask for time off, I can decide for myself when I am available and when I am not. I understand that if you have a 10-hour contract and you work 8 hours, you can hand in extra hours worked. But does that also work with a zero-hour contract? There is also nothing in my employment contract about “time for time hours (TVT)”. And here is a signature from my contract about the number of hours I would work upon entering employment: Number of hours The number of hours to be worked is 0 to 12 hours per week divided over variable days. The working hours are determined in consultation with the manager and you will comply with this. The working hours are coordinated with the times of the supermarket, taking into account legal age provisions. If there is an extension and/or shift of times in the future, the employee is prepared to work at these changed times, despite the fact that these times differ from the times that apply at the time of entry into employment. I would like to get more information about the time for time hours and whether this applies to my zero hours contract. 16 hours deduction from my salary is a considerable amount that is deducted from your salary as a student. Yours sincerely,

Lawyer

I can imagine the situation is unclear and annoying. 16 hours is quite a number of hours. The Supermarket Collective Labour Agreement applies to supermarkets (see link below). According to the collective labor agreement, the position appears to fall under 'side job' because the intention is to work a maximum of 12 hours. https://bit.ly/3GNYUAh In article Article 4 under 12 it states that the extra hours are compensated in paid free time or money. Then it seems that a choice can be made. Theoretically, this would mean that there are the following options: - Take a whole week off (12 hours) and still get paid; - Choose to have the hours paid out. This is a general answer as I am not aware of the entire specific situation. Often there is also a staff association or staff book, possibly more information can be obtained there about what is customary. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or require legal assistance.