A vaststellingsovereenkomst (VSO), also called a beëindigingsovereenkomst, is a written settlement agreement through which employer and employee mutually end the employment relationship. It avoids the UWV procedure and the sub-district court while still preserving the employee's right to unemployment benefit (WW), provided the drafting meets specific UWV criteria.
To safeguard WW entitlement, the agreement must show that termination was initiated by the employer, that the employee is not culpable, and that the notice period was respected when setting the end date. It typically includes a severance payment equal to or above the statutory transition payment, a final settlement of holiday hours and bonuses, and provisions on references, confidentiality, and existing non-compete or non-solicitation clauses.
Employees have a statutory reflection period of fourteen days after signing, or three weeks if the right to reflect was not mentioned in the agreement, during which they may withdraw consent in writing without giving reasons.