Receiving a settlement agreement (VSO) can be stressful. With this your employer proposes to terminate the employment contract by mutual agreement. But what should you do?

First steps

1. Stay calm – a VSO is only a proposal.

2. Read the document carefully – check all terms and conditions.

3. Don’t let yourself be pressured – you are entitled to a cooling-off period.

4. Seek legal advice – a lawyer can assess whether the terms are reasonable.

Example

An employee received a settlement agreement that only included the statutory transition payment. On a lawyer’s advice, he also obtained a release from work and a training budget.

Checklist

• 📄 Read the contract in full

• 📝 Write down any questions and unclear points

• ⚖️ Have it checked by a lawyer

• ⏳ Use your 14-day cooling-off period

FAQ

1. Do I have to sign immediately? No, you always have a cooling-off period.
2. Will I receive unemployment benefits if I sign? Only if the VSO is drafted correctly.

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“Received a settlement agreement? Discover the first steps you should take and how Arslan Advocaten helps you with the assessment of your VSO.”

Signing a settlement agreement: what should you look out for?

Before you sign, you need to know whether the terms are in your favor.

Important points

• Severance pay: is this more than the transition payment?

• End date: does this align with your interests?

• Clauses: delete or limit the non-compete or non-solicitation clause.

• Neutral reason for dismissal: important for future employers and unemployment benefits.

Example

An employee signed without checking. His non-compete clause remained and hindered him in getting a new job.

Checklist

• 💶 Check compensation

• 📅 Check end date and notice period

• 📝 Check clauses

• ⚖️ Have the settlement agreement reviewed by a lawyer