Your first steps on receiving a VSO in Eindhoven

Received a settlement agreement: your first steps

Have you received a settlement agreement? The first steps you take often determine your negotiating position. Below you can read what it is best to do.

Your employer presents you with a settlement agreement — and suddenly you feel pressure to decide quickly. That is understandable, but certainly not wise. With the right approach you protect your rights and avoid agreeing to terms that could be better. This article explains step by step what to do as soon as you receive a settlement agreement in Eindhoven.

Do not sign anything yet: you have more time than you think

An employer sometimes creates the impression that you need to act quickly. Legally speaking, however, you are under no obligation to sign immediately. Moreover, once you have signed the settlement agreement, you still have fourteen days under Article 7:670b(2) of the Dutch Civil Code to dissolve the agreement without giving any reason. If that cooling-off period is not mentioned in the document itself, that period is extended to 21 days.

Use that time. It is precisely the period in which you obtain legal advice, study the contents, and consider whether the terms on offer are fair.

Review the settlement agreement on these five points

Before speaking with a lawyer, it is useful to form your own initial impression. When reading through the agreement, pay attention at least to the following:

• Einddatum en opzegtermijn — Does the end date used correspond to the statutory or contractual notice period?
• Amount of the severance payment — Is a transition payment included, and has it been correctly calculated on the basis of your years of service and salary? As of 1 January 2026, the statutory transition payment amounts to a maximum of €102,000 gross.
• Exemption from work — Are you released from your duties, and if so, under what conditions?
• Days off and holiday pay — Have outstanding leave days and accrued holiday pay been included in the final settlement?
• Confidentiality and non-compete clause — Are there provisions included that restrict your future career opportunities?

This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you an initial sense of the content. Professional advice is indispensable for a complete assessment.

Why having a settlement agreement reviewed in Eindhoven is so important

A settlement agreement A settlement agreement can sometimes appear to be a standard document, but it rarely is. Employers generally draft the text to their own advantage. An employment lawyer looks not only at whether the amounts are correct, but also at whether the wording of clauses could cause you problems later — for example when applying for unemployment benefit (WW) or when starting a new job.

Specifically when having a settlement agreement reviewed in Eindhoven, the local labour market context also plays a role. Whether you work for a large industrial employer in the region or a smaller company in Brabant: the circumstances of your dismissal partly determine what is negotiable. A lawyer with knowledge of regional practice will spot opportunities that you might otherwise overlook.

What to do if you want to refuse or amend the settlement agreement

You are always entitled to refuse. You are never obliged to sign a settlement agreement. If you do not sign, the employer may choose an alternative dismissal route — via UWV or the subdistrict court — but strict statutory requirements apply to those routes, which are not always easy to meet.

Do you not want to refuse the agreement outright, but would like to improve it? Then negotiating is a serious option. Think of a higher severance payment, a longer garden leave period, or better neutral wording for the reason for departure. An employment lawyer conducts those negotiations on your behalf, so that you do not have to face your employer directly.

Practical steps after receiving a settlement agreement

• Read the agreement carefully and note down your questions and concerns.
• Do not respond to your employer straight away — seek legal advice first.
• Contact an employment lawyer, preferably within a few working days of receipt.
• Have you already signed? Be aware that the statutory cooling-off period of 14 days is running — make use of it if you have any doubts.
• Check whether the cooling-off period clause is included in the settlement agreement; if it is missing, a period of 21 days applies.
• Keep all correspondence with your employer, including emails and app messages about your departure.
• Find out whether your situation entitles you to additional compensation, such as an outplacement budget or payment for untaken leave.

Why Employment Lawyer Eindhoven

At Arbeidsjurist Eindhoven, we help employees in the region quickly and personally with the review of a settlement agreement. We know the local labour market, think alongside you about your specific situation, and support you during any negotiations. You do not have to work it out on your own — get in touch without obligation and find out what we can do for you.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to have a settlement agreement reviewed?

You are never obliged to sign immediately. If you have already signed the settlement agreement, you have a statutory cooling-off period of 14 days under Article 7:670b(2) of the Dutch Civil Code to dissolve the agreement without giving reasons. If the cooling-off period is not stated in the settlement agreement, a period of 21 days applies. Use that time to obtain legal advice.

Am I required to accept a settlement agreement if my employer puts one forward?

No, you are never obliged to sign a settlement agreement. You can refuse or request amendments. If you refuse, the employer may attempt to end the employment relationship by another route, but strict statutory requirements apply to this. Always seek advice before making a decision.

Is the transition payment in my settlement agreement automatically correct?

Not necessarily. The transition payment is calculated on the basis of your years of service and gross monthly salary. In 2026, the statutory maximum is €102,000 gross. Errors in the calculation occur regularly, and with a settlement agreement there is sometimes room to negotiate more on top of the statutory transition payment. Always have a lawyer check the calculation.

What happens to my unemployment benefit (WW) if I sign a settlement agreement?

In order to retain your entitlement to unemployment benefit (WW), it is crucial that the settlement agreement is drafted correctly. For instance, you must not be seen as having taken the initiative to end the employment yourself, and the end date must align with the applicable notice period. An employment lawyer will check whether the wording of the agreement protects your WW entitlements.

Can I also negotiate the content of a settlement agreement?

Yes, absolutely. A settlement agreement is a negotiating document. You can negotiate the amount of the severance payment, the end date, the stated reason for departure, an outplacement budget, exemption from work duties, and more. An employment lawyer will assist you and knows what is realistically achievable in your situation.

We are happy to think along with you. For advice tailored to your situation, we would be glad to talk. No rights can be derived from the content of this page and it may contain inaccuracies.