Negotiating Your VSO in the Netherlands

Negotiating a VSO (vaststellingsovereenkomst, Dutch settlement agreement) means actively influencing the terms under which your employment ends. You do not simply accept your employer’s first proposal, but review every clause, from the end date and severance to the impact on your unemployment benefits and future career. Especially when outplacement support is involved, it is essential to see the VSO as a complete package. This summary explains the key points and shows how a specialist such as Care4Careers can support you.

Why the VSO is more than just a severance deal

A VSO is a mutual agreement to terminate the employment contract, instead of going through UWV or the court. The Dutch benefits agency UWV will later check whether you are involuntarily unemployed and whether you are entitled to unemployment benefits (WW). For this reason, the wording in the VSO is crucial: it should clearly state that the initiative to terminate lies with the employer and that you are not seriously at fault.

Negotiation is therefore about more than the financial amount. It is also about the correct notice period, a realistic end date, the way the reason for dismissal is described, and whether there is room for professional support such as outplacement. A well-negotiated VSO protects your short-term income and supports your long-term career.

What you can negotiate in a Dutch VSO

In practice, employees can negotiate several key elements. First, the end date and whether you will be released from work with continued pay. Second, the severance package, often based on the statutory transition payment. Third, the handling of outstanding rights such as holidays, bonus and pension, and any non-compete or relationship clauses. Finally, you can negotiate career support such as a fully funded outplacement programme.

For many professionals, outplacement is a strategic part of the deal. A programme with Care4Careers typically combines career coaching, market orientation and application training. This increases your chances of finding suitable new work within a reasonable period. For some employees, this structured guidance is more valuable than a slightly higher lump-sum payment without support.

The role of Care4Careers in VSO and outplacement

Care4Careers is a Dutch specialist in outplacement, second-track reintegration and career coaching. When an employer includes an outplacement arrangement in your VSO, you gain access to expert support in clarifying your strengths, exploring realistic career options and navigating the Dutch labour market. This guidance helps you to turn a difficult dismissal into a planned transition.

By combining a carefully negotiated VSO with a solid outplacement arrangement, you create a bridge between your current job and your next role. Instead of facing unemployment alone, you work step by step on a new, sustainable position that suits your experience, health and ambitions.

Key takeaways when negotiating your VSO

When negotiating your VSO, always take time to review the proposal and seek expert advice where possible. Check the impact on WW, the correctness of the notice period and the overall balance between severance and career support. Ask explicitly for funded outplacement if it is not yet included, or for a more extensive programme if your situation requires it.

Viewed in this way, the VSO is not just the end of your current employment, but the legal and financial basis for your next step. With the right arrangements and professional guidance, you can turn an involuntary departure into a controlled and constructive career move.