Last week, my boss came to me with an extension to my contract. He told me that they will only extend my contract until 31 Dec. During that time, they will be seeking a replacement for me. I was a bit shocked. However, I signed the contract as did my boss.
I left the office that afternoon as I was not feeling well. My boss emailed me to say that because I left ill, the contract we had signed was VOID. I called Het Juridisch Loket to ask if this was legal. They said no. They said that the contract is signed and must be honored. I've been out ill since last week. The only communication to my boss has been ''I am not well and intend to return to work when I am feeling better''. My boss has emailed me to say that my contract is ending 30 Sept and NOT 31 December (extension). I've not responded and won't until I get legal advice on this. I have the signed contract in my possession.
Does anybody have any advice on this? How do I move forward?
Call on the services of Het JL or similar - perhaps they can help you with the next stage free of charge.
You can wait until he stops paying you in September then start court proceedings of your own for breach of contract, or you can take positive action now with some free help!
Perhaps they will advise you to talk to the CWI (Department of Works) who might tell the employer that they aren't allowed to do this.
Or join a union. Unions are not the enemy, they are there to protect workers, everything from negotiating your collective agreements, to defending you against unscupulous/unethical bosses. However, it's already September and it might be too late before your membership was processed, you met your rep... bleh, it would already be December by then!
And finally, September or December, you're still going to be jobless and nothing will change that. Start looking for a new job - I imagine this is the best situation all around: you get career/financial security, a 'happier' workplace, and maybe your boss will make it easy (ie: give you a great reference) for you to leave. Update your CV and your LinkedIn, check the vacancy sites or register with agents, and look forward instead of back.
vlindertje69 said:
The battle is ongoing. Boss insists that contract is void. Juridisch Loket has advised me that what he is doing is illegal. Now..HOW do I proceed? I guess I'm going to have to get a lawyer. I can't afford one.
The new contract for that short of a time sounded odd to me to begin with. Sounds like he just wants you out of there and has seized on your being sick to do this.
Has the work doctor contacted you yet? This should have happen too as he is the one that tells your company that you really are sick.
Yes, you have to hire a lawyer and have him fight for you. I think there are a few free ones out there .. but ask the loket folks if they know of a free lawyer.
http://www.rechtwijzer.nl/?gclid=CJbdsaucn60CFcYl3godUzeTzg
http://rechtswinkelmigranten.nl
