Leave for Moving: When Are You Entitled to It?

Summary: Leave for moving is not required by law in the Netherlands and depends on what is specified in your collective bargaining agreement, employment contract, or employee handbook. In some cases, you may be entitled to one or two days of special leave, but if this isn’t specified, you can use vacation days or take unpaid leave. The rules vary depending on your employment status, such as permanent, temporary, on-call, or self-employed. You should request time off through your employer or HR, preferably well in advance. If your request is denied, you can discuss alternatives such as working from home or adjusted work hours. If you are granted time off, good planning or hiring a moving company can help reduce stress.

Moving can be an exciting and stressful time, especially when you have to juggle it with your work commitments. Fortunately, there’s such a thing as moving leave, which can give you some breathing room during this hectic period. Wondering when you’re eligible for this special leave? Read on for all the information and guidelines!

What is relocation leave?

Moving leave is a special type of leave that allows employees to take time off from work in connection with a planned move. This type of leave is intended to support employees in organizing and carrying out their moving plans, so they can better focus on this important event in their lives.

Am I entitled to time off during my move?

That depends on the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) your employer follows, or the provisions set forth in your contract or the employee handbook. In some cases, you may be given two days to move, but that is not always the case. Your employer is not legally required to grant you a day off to move.

If you’d like to learn more about the rules and guidelines regarding leave, take a look at the Dutch government for more information.

Am I entitled to special leave or unpaid leave while I’m moving?

In the Netherlands, moving is generally considered special leave, but only if this is specified in your collective bargaining agreement, employment contract, or employee handbook. Special leave is leave granted for personal circumstances that are not covered by your regular vacation allowance, such as a wedding, the death of a close relative, and, therefore, a move.

If there are no specific provisions regarding relocation leave, then unfortunately you are not automatically entitled to special leave. In that case, you can request unpaid leave or use your regular vacation days. Many employers are understanding about this, especially if you give them plenty of notice about the move and clearly communicate how much time you’ll need.

Right to Leave Under Different Types of Employment Arrangements

When taking leave to move, it’s important to understand your rights based on your employment status. Whether you have a permanent contract, are employed on a temporary basis, or work as a self-employed person, your situation determines how many days of leave you can take.

Permanent contract

For a permanent contract, the terms set forth in the collective bargaining agreement, employment contract, or employee handbook apply. If relocation leave is included in those documents, you are entitled to it. This often amounts to one or two days of paid special leave.

Temporary contract

Even with a temporary contract, you may be entitled to time off for moving, as long as this is specified in the collective bargaining agreement or your employment contract. The type of contract usually doesn’t matter in this regard, but it is important that your contract is still in effect at the time of the move.

On-call worker

For on-call workers, moving leave is less commonly provided. If you don’t have set hours and haven’t made an agreement regarding special leave, a moving day is often unpaid or counts as a day you weren’t called in. It’s important to discuss this with your employer.

Independent Professionals

As a self-employed professional, you’re usually free to manage your own schedule and work. This means that requesting time off for a move often requires coordination with your clients.

How do I request time off for a move?

As an employee, are you entitled to time off for a move? You usually request this time off through your employer or HR department. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Submit a leave request

Request the leave through the system your employer uses (such as an HR portal) or by email to your supervisor. Clearly state that the leave is related to a move. Try to request your leave as far in advance as possible so that your employer can take this into account when planning and to maximize your chances of having your leave request approved.

Step 2: Specify the type of leave

Please specify the type of leave:

• special leave (if provided for in the collective bargaining agreement or employee handbook)
• vacation days
• unpaid leave

That way, your employer will know right away how to evaluate the request.

Step 3: Briefly explain the basis for your request

You don’t need to provide a detailed explanation, but please briefly state why you need time off and the date of the move.

Step 4: Wait for approval

Your employer will review your request. In the case of special leave, they will usually verify that it complies with the applicable rules. Once approved, the leave is final.

Step 5: Confirm the appointment

Did you receive verbal approval? If so, ask for written confirmation or check to make sure the leave is entered correctly in the system.

Didn’t get time off for your move? Here’s what you can do

Didn’t get time off for your move? That can be frustrating, but there are still a few options.

Check the rules again

Check to make sure that relocation leave is not actually included in your collective bargaining agreement, employment contract, or employee handbook. Sometimes, a move is covered under special leave without this being immediately obvious.

Talk to your employer

Was your application denied? If so, ask for an explanation. In many cases, there is room for a customized solution, especially if you can be flexible with your schedule or temporarily adjust your work.

Take a vacation day or unpaid leave

If special leave isn’t an option, you can usually use your vacation days or request unpaid leave so you can still have the day off on moving day.

Discuss alternatives

Consider:

• Working from Home During the Move
• half a day off
• adjusted work hours
• swap time off with a coworker

Hire a moving company

Still can’t get time off for your move? That’s a bummer, but trust us: there’s no need to panic. Hiring a moving company could be the perfect solution. Here at Oomen Verhuizers, we can help you not only with the move itself, but also with other tasks, such as disassembling furniture and packing boxes. This saves you time, makes the move more efficient, and makes it easier to balance with your work. So there’s no need to stress.

Did you get time off for your move? Here’s how to handle it the smart way

Have you been granted time off for your move? If so, now is the perfect time to plan everything carefully and minimize stress. With enough preparation, you’ll get the most out of your day(s) off.

For example, make a clear plan in advance, get moving boxes in time, and make sure you know what needs to be done and when. It can also be a great relief to get help during the move, for example, by hiring a moving company. Here at Oomen Verhuizers, we can take a lot of the work off your hands, from packing the boxes to disassembling furniture and, of course, handling the move on the day itself. This way, your move will go as smoothly as possible. Feel free to contact us; we’d be happy to discuss the options with you.