Settlement Agreement Netherlands: Outplacement & Coaching

Losing your job is never easy — especially when you’re living and working in a different country.

For many employees in the Netherlands, a job loss often comes with a settlement agreement (vaststellingsovereenkomst or VSO). While this agreement may include financial compensation, there’s something even more valuable that many people don’t realise they can request: outplacement or career coaching.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What a settlement agreement is and what it typically includes
• How to protect your rights and benefits
• Why outplacement coaching is a game-changer during a career transition
• Steps to negotiate coaching into your agreement — fully funded by your employer
• Whether you’re a Dutch professional or an international navigating a foreign job market, these tips will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

What Is a Settlement Agreement (VSO) in the Netherlands?

A settlement agreement, or VSO, is a mutual agreement between you and your employer to end your employment contract.
It’s often used during:

• Company reorganisations or layoffs
• Redundancies due to financial difficulties
• Situations where continuing employment is no longer a good fit

Instead of going through a lengthy legal process, both parties agree on the terms of departure, which are written down in the VSO.

What You Usually Receive in a Settlement Agreement

When you sign a VSO, you’re typically entitled to:

Final salary payout (eindafrekening):

• Remaining salary up to your last working day
• Unused vacation days paid out in cash
• Holiday allowance (vakantiegeld)
• Any earned but unpaid bonuses or commissions
• Transition payment (transitievergoeding):

A legal severance payment equal to ⅓ of one month’s salary per year of service

WW benefits (unemployment) eligibility, if the wording is correct

• Sometimes additional benefits, such as:
• Outplacement or career coaching budget
• Retention of company equipment (e.g., laptop or phone)
• Reference letters or support finding a new role

Important: You have 14 days to reconsider after signing a VSO. This is your legal reflection period to seek advice or make changes.

Why Outplacement Coaching Matters

While severance pay is helpful, what truly determines how smoothly you recover from job loss is what happens next.
This is where outplacement coaching comes in.

What Outplacement Coaching Includes

Outplacement coaching is a structured program designed to help you transition into your next role quickly and confidently.
It often includes:

• Career direction and values exploration
• CV and LinkedIn optimisation for the Dutch and international job market
• Job search strategy and networking guidance
• Interview preparation and salary negotiation support
• Emotional resilience and mindset tools for navigating uncertainty
• Optional training or upskilling to expand opportunities

Why Employers Agree to Pay for It

You might wonder, “Why would my company pay for coaching after letting me go?”

Offering outplacement benefits both you and your employer:

• It shows they care about employee well-being, protecting their employer brand
• Reduces the risk of legal conflict or negative publicity
• Helps the departure process stay respectful and professional
• Keeps remaining employees more engaged during times of change

Because of these benefits, it’s common for Dutch employers to allocate €1,500 – €5,000 for outplacement per employee, depending on your role and seniority.

How to Negotiate Outplacement Into Your VSO

If your employer hasn’t offered career coaching, you can request it before signing your agreement.

Steps to Take

1. Ask clearly:

   “I’d like to include a budget for career coaching to help me transition into my next role.”

2. Know the typical budget range:

   €1,500 – €5,000 is standard for most professionals.
3. Check the wording carefully:

The VSO should state:
“The employer will provide the employee with an outplacement budget of €3,000 (including VAT) to be used for career coaching or training. This budget must be utilised within six months after termination.”

4. Ensure payment goes directly to the provider (not to you as cash), so it doesn’t affect your WW benefits.

Protecting Your WW (Unemployment Benefits)

If you want to apply for WW benefits, the VSO must include specific wording.
Look for phrases like:

“This agreement was reached at the employer’s initiative and not due to serious culpable actions by the employee.”

Without this, the UWV may deny your claim, leaving you without unemployment support.

Checklist: Before You Sign Your Settlement Agreement

Here are 7 essentials to review before you sign:

1. Clear reason for termination stated (employer’s initiative)

2. Final salary payout includes unused vacation and holiday allowance

3. Transition payment correctly calculated

4. Wording protects your WW eligibility

5. Outplacement budget included and clearly defined

6. Legal fee contribution from employer (usually €500–€1,000)

7. Tax planning considerations for larger severance amounts

Why Coaching Makes a Difference

Job loss can be deeply personal. It affects not only your finances but also your identity and confidence.
For internationals or expats, the stress can feel even heavier — navigating a foreign system, balancing family life, and sometimes facing language barriers.

Career coaching provides:

• Clarity: What kind of work truly fits you?
• Confidence: Practical tools to market yourself and land interviews
• Direction: A step-by-step plan for your next chapter
• Support: A safe space to process emotions and regain balance

At Hayati Coaching, I combine my background in HR, psychology, and coaching to support professionals, expats, and parents navigating career transitions in the Netherlands.

With over a decade of experience in international HR and a deep understanding of the emotional side of change, I help clients rebuild both practical career strategies and personal resilience during this challenging time.

I offer tailored outplacement packages, often fully funded by your employer:

• 3-session reset package – €500
• 6-session full program – €950
• 10-session deep career change program – €1,450

Each package is designed to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and direction — whether you’re looking for a new role, exploring a career pivot, or simply need structured support after redundancy.

For expats and internationals, job loss in the Netherlands comes with extra layers of stress: navigating a foreign job market, language barriers, and uncertainty about benefits like WW eligibility. I specialise in bridging those gaps, helping you understand your options, communicate confidently with employers, and secure a new role that truly fits — so you don’t just recover, you thrive in your next chapter.

Next Steps

1. Don’t rush to sign your VSO. You have a 14-day reflection period.

2. Download the free checklist to ensure you don’t miss anything important.

3. Speak with a lawyer or trusted advisor — many employers cover the cost.

4. Contact Hayati Coaching to explore how you can secure career coaching fully funded by your employer.

Your job loss can become a turning point — with the right support, you can rebuild with clarity and confidence.