Introduction
A sabbatical sounds appealing: taking an extended period of time off for rest, travel, personal development, or study. For employees, it’s often a dream; for employers, it can raise questions. Are you required to grant it? What are the implications for pay, employment conditions, and insurance? And most importantly: how do you ensure there are no misunderstandings upon the employee’s return? In this blog, you’ll learn how to handle a sabbatical request carefully as an employer and which legal considerations you must definitely keep in mind.
As an employee, are you entitled to a sabbatical?
The answer is clear: no, employees in the Netherlands have no legal right to a sabbatical. It is unpaid leave and therefore only possible if the employer agrees to it. Nevertheless, more and more employers are choosing to accommodate this, especially when it comes to motivated employees who present a solid plan. In such cases, always make written agreements regarding the terms and consequences.
Use a checklist: What do you need to arrange as an employer?
To make sure you don’t overlook anything, it’s a good idea to consult the Sabbatical Checklist. Some important points to consider are:
- Start and end dates of the leave
Also specify what happens in the event of illness or early termination. - Return to the same position or not
Is reassignment guaranteed? Or does it depend on circumstances? - Vacation Days and Accrual
During a sabbatical, an employee generally does not accrue vacation days. - Pay During Sick Leave
In general, pay is not continued during a sabbatical in the event of illness, unless otherwise agreed. - Insurance
Consider medical expenses, disability, and voluntary sickness benefit insurance through the UWV. - Pension accrual
Pension accrual usually stops during leave. Actively inform the employee about this. - Expense allowances and lease provisions
Document what happens to lease cars, laptops, phones, travel expenses, and other benefits. - Group Insurance and Benefits
Inform the employee of the potential implications for supplemental insurance and benefits such as housing allowance or child care allowance.
Practical Tips: How to Make a Sabbatical Workable
In general, it’s advisable to present a sabbatical in a way that also offers benefits to the organization. As an employer, you can encourage this by conducting the conversation in a positive and open manner. Consider the following:
- Ask the employee for a clear plan: What is the reason for the sabbatical? And what are the benefits?
- Discuss together how the work will be handled: internally or temporarily by an external provider.
- Encourage engagement during the sabbatical: for example, through periodic contact or by visiting a (foreign) sister office at international employers.
- Provide clarity on what happens if an employee becomes ill while on leave.
Put agreements in writing
A sabbatical often has implications under labor law, as well as financial and tax implications. It is therefore important to set out all agreements in writing in an addendum to the employment contract. This will help prevent disputes upon your return regarding rights, obligations, and expectations.
Conclusion
A sabbatical is never an obligation for the employer, but with the right arrangements, it can be a valuable investment in both the employee and the organization. Use the checklist as a basis for the discussion, document the agreements in writing, and thoroughly inform the employee about the legal and financial implications. This will help create clarity and mutual trust.
This blog was written by Stijn Blom, Esq., an employment law attorney at Arbeidsadvocaat.nl B.V. Stijn has extensive experience in employment law and assists employers and employees on a daily basis with a wide range of employment law issues. From dismissal cases to drafting watertight contracts and policies—with his practical and personalized approach, he helps employers and employees move forward. Want to learn more? Visit Stijn’s page.
Arbeidsadvocaat.nl is happy to help you if you have any questions about sabbaticals. Please feel free to contact us .
April 2025