{"id":4448,"date":"2026-05-31T19:17:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T19:17:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arbeidsjurist-eindhoven.nl\/?p=4448"},"modified":"2026-10-09T12:07:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T12:07:36","slug":"resigning-or-settlement-agreement-unemployment-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arbeidsjurist-eindhoven.nl\/en\/kennisbank\/zelf-ontslag-nemen-of-vaststellingsovereenkomst-ww-rechten\/","title":{"rendered":"Resigning yourself or a settlement agreement: what is smarter for your unemployment benefit rights?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Resigning yourself or a VSO: which is smarter?<\/h2>\n

Are you unsure whether to resign yourself or to agree to a settlement agreement (VSO)? When it comes to your unemployment benefit (WW) entitlements, the choice makes a great deal of difference. We set out the consequences of each option.<\/p>\n

Als je overweegt om zelf je baan op te zeggen, is het cruciaal om te weten wat dit betekent voor je WW-uitkering. In veel gevallen ben je beter af met een settlement agreement<\/a> dan met zelf ontslag nemen \u2014 maar dat hangt sterk af van jouw situatie. Hieronder lees je de belangrijkste verschillen en aandachtspunten.<\/p>\n

What happens to your unemployment benefit (WW) if you resign?<\/h2>\n

If you terminate your own employment contract, the UWV treats this as culpable unemployment. That sounds serious, and it is: in principle, you have no entitlement to unemployment benefit (WW). The UWV takes the view that you have personally assumed responsibility for the loss of your job, and that weighs heavily in their assessment.<\/p>\n

There are exceptions, but they are limited. Think of situations in which you could demonstrate that you had an urgent reason for leaving \u2014 for example, an unsafe working environment or serious misconduct by the employer. However, this is difficult to prove and requires careful documentation.<\/p>\n

Why a settlement agreement (VSO) is often the smarter option<\/h2>\n

With a settlement agreement, you leave employment by mutual consent. Provided the agreement is properly drafted, you can in principle still claim unemployment benefit (WW). The reason: the initiative for the dismissal formally lies with the employer, or at the very least not unilaterally with you as the employee.<\/p>\n

That distinction is decisive for the UWV. As long as the settlement agreement states that the employer took the initiative and there is no urgent reason on your part, you will not be regarded as culpably unemployed.<\/p>\n

What must be included in the settlement agreement to protect your WW entitlement?<\/h3>\n

Not every settlement agreement automatically protects your WW rights. Pay attention to the following points:<\/p>\n