Introduction

In the healthcare sector, where integrity and trust are essential, financial misconduct can have serious consequences. A recent ruling by the Midden-Nederland District Court illustrates this. An employee of a mental health care institution was summarily dismissed after accepting €2,000 from a client—who may have been under guardianship—as a loan. The judge ruled that the dismissal was justified and awarded the employer damages of over €12,000 for a gross violation of the code of conduct.

Vulnerable Client, Professional Responsibility

The employee was responsible for providing support to clients from a vulnerable population within the mental health care institution. The client in question was under guardianship or had been under guardianship in the past, which meant that he was considered financially vulnerable. The employee was aware of this situation but, despite this, did not involve the guardian and instead had the client transfer a sum of money directly to him.

Organizations in the healthcare sector—and particularly in mental health care—are held to a high standard of integrity. In this case, the organization’s code of conduct was seriously violated, which, according to the judge, rightly warranted immediate termination.

Fixed Compensation Following Immediate Dismissal

These proceedings specifically concerned the employer’s request for what is known as “fixed compensation.” This compensation is required by law when an employee is justifiably terminated with immediate effect, and amounts to the wages for the period that would otherwise have had to be observed in the event of notice of termination.

The subdistrict court judge ruled that the termination was lawful and awarded the employer damages of over €12,000. In addition, the employee was ordered to pay the court costs.

Practical Implications

This ruling underscores that employees in the healthcare sector are expected to treat clients with the utmost care, especially if they are financially or mentally vulnerable. Even if the client acts of their own accord, the employee may be acting in a seriously culpable manner by accepting cash payments.

@arbeidsadvocaat.nl

De uitspraak van de week! #arbeidsadvocaat #arbeidsrecht #ontslag #advocaat Uitspraak van de week over ECLI:NL:RBMNE:2023:6177. Medewerker van een Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg instelling laat een cliënt € 2.000 naar hem overmaken, moet ruim EUR 12.000 aan zijn werkgever betalen Bij de overboeking naar zijn eigen rekening stond de vermelding: “lening”. De GGZ instelling heeft de medewerker op staande voet ontslagen wegens een grove schending van de Gedragscode. De kantonrechter vindt het ontslag met directe ingang terecht. Binnen de GGZ instelling worden kwetsbare mensen in de samenleving geholpen. In deze kwestie hielp de medewerker de bewuste cliënt al langere tijd. Hij was er daarom van op de hoogte dat de client onder bewind stond of had gestaan, omdat hij niet in staat was zijn financiële zaken zelf goed te behartigen. De medewerker had de bewindvoerder omzeild. Deze procedure ging alleen om het verzoek van de werkgever tot toekenning van de gefixeerde schadevergoeding: deze is bij een terecht ontslag op staande voet het loon over de opzegtermijn die de werknemer in acht had moeten nemen. Bij elkaar moest de werknemer ruim 12k aan gefixeerde schadevergoeding en proceskosten betalen.

♬ origineel geluid – Stijn Blom

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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 agreements 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 termination. Please feel free to contact us .

April 2025