Considering starting work through a staffing agency, but unsure about the security it offers? That's an understandable thought. Many people assume that temporary work is less stable than a 'regular' job. Good news: as a temporary worker in the Netherlands, you're excellently protected. You have clear rights laid down in a collective labour agreement (cao). At Versado, we believe it's important that you know exactly where you stand.
The ABU cao: the foundation of your security
Versado is affiliated with the ABU, the Dutch Federation of Private Employment Agencies. This means we work according to the ABU cao. Think of this cao as a comprehensive rulebook containing all the agreements about your work. This includes your salary, the number of holiday days, continued payment during illness, and your pension. It ensures everything is arranged fairly and transparently, so you can focus on your work.
The phase system: clarity and growth in your contract
The cao for temporary workers operates with a phase system. This system is designed to give you increasing security the longer you work through a staffing agency. It consists of three phases: A, B, and C.
Phase A
This is the starting phase, which lasts a maximum of 52 worked weeks. During this period, you can work for various clients. It's a flexible phase in which you can discover what kind of work suits you best. If an assignment ends? Then your contract for that assignment ends too. But even in this phase, you still accrue holiday days and holiday pay.
Phase B
After 52 weeks in phase A, you move into phase B. This phase lasts a maximum of three years. During this period, you receive fixed-term contracts. You can receive up to six contracts in total. The big advantage of phase B is the increased security. If your assignment ends unexpectedly, your contract (and your salary) simply continues until the agreed end date.
Phase C
Have you successfully completed phase B? Then you move into phase C. From this point on, the staffing agency will offer you a permanent contract. This is a fixed contract, with all the securities that come with it, such as protection against dismissal. You now have the same contractual security as someone directly employed on a permanent basis by a company.
Your salary and extras
One of the most important rules in the ABU cao is the client company pay rate. This means you're entitled to the same pay as employees in a similar role who are permanently employed at the company where you work. This applies not only to your base salary, but also to matters such as:
- Allowances (for example, for overtime or irregular shifts)
- Travel expense reimbursement
- ADV or ATV days (reduced working hours days)
- Periodic salary increases
In addition, you're of course also entitled to holiday pay (8.33% of your gross salary) and you accrue paid holiday days. And if you get sick? Then you're entitled to continued payment of your salary.
Think ahead about your future: pension accrual
Even as a temporary worker, you build up a pension. After 8 worked weeks, your pension accrual starts automatically. The staffing agency then pays contributions on your behalf to a pension fund. This way, you're not only working on your career today, but also on your financial future.
Working through Versado: security and personal attention
As you can see, working through a staffing agency offers far more security than many people think. Your rights are well protected, and you build up more security step by step. At Versado, we're happy to guide you through this process. We make sure everything is properly arranged and we're here for you whenever you have questions.
Curious about the opportunities we have for you in Limburg? Feel free to contact us. We're happy to help you on your way to a new job with security!
