Introduction
Employees enjoy extensive protections within employment law, but they also have clear obligations. This blog discusses three key behaviors that employees should avoid to avoid problems such as wage suspension, damages or fines.
No breaking contact in case of illness
When an employee calls in sick, it does not mean that contact with the employer may cease. During illness, the employee remains obliged to cooperate in reintegration. This means, among other things, that the employee must be available, must keep appointments with the company doctor and must cooperate in drawing up an action plan. If the employee ignores these obligations, the employer may decide to suspend or even stop payment of wages.
Not leaving without notice
An employee cannot simply terminate employment overnight. The employee must also observe the statutory or contractually agreed upon notice period, which in most cases is at least one month. If an employee resigns without observing the proper notice period, the employer can claim damages in the amount of missed wages over the notice period.
Not competing with the employer
During and after employment, an employee may not simply compete with the employer. Even without an explicit non-competition clause, there can be legal risks if an employee actively approaches customers or uses confidential company information to gain his or her own advantage. In addition, if a valid non-competition clause is agreed upon, the employee is bound by the restrictions set forth therein, with possible fines for violation.
Conclusion
During employment, employees are subject to obligations such as being available during illness, complying with the notice period and respecting competition agreements. Taking these obligations seriously prevents legal conflicts with the employer.
This blog was written by Mr. Stijn Blom, employment lawyer at Arbeidsadvocaat.nl B.V. Stijn has extensive experience in employment law and assists entrepreneurs daily with a wide range of employment-related matters. From dismissal cases to drafting watertight contracts and policies – with his practical and personal approach, he helps employers and employees move forward. Want to know more?Visit Stijn's page.
Arbeidsadvocaat.nl is happy to think with you if you have questions about employee obligations. Please feel free to get in touch .
April 2025
