Calculation of Vacation Days in Rijswijk

Calculation of Vacation Days in Rijswijk

The calculation of vacation days for employees in Rijswijk follows Dutch statutory minimum rules, but can be expanded through collective labor agreements (CLAs) or employment contracts common in local sectors such as public services and offices near The Hague. Full-time employees with a standard five-day workweek accrue at least 20 paid days off per year, while part-timers and flex workers receive a pro-rata share. In Rijswijk, with its mix of municipal jobs and private companies, this calculation supports balanced work and leisure planning, essential for drawing up vacation schedules in consultation with employers.

What are vacation days and how do they work in Rijswijk?

Vacation days provide paid rest periods for travel, family matters, or recovery, accrued over the calendar year and generally taken within six months of accrual unless otherwise specified in the contract. The calculation of vacation days in Rijswijk accounts for hours worked, working days, and special circumstances such as illness or part-time schedules, which are common among local employers. This protects Rijswijk employees from burnout and requires employers to grant leave. For personalized advice on your situation, contact the Rijswijk Legal Aid Office.

In the Netherlands, and thus in Rijswijk, a distinction is made between statutory vacation days (the minimum) and extra-statutory days (additional via CLA or contract). Statutory days are scheduled in consultation with the employer. For more details on the basics, see our article on Statutory Vacation Days.

Statutory rules for vacation days calculation

The calculation of vacation days is set out in the Dutch Civil Code (DCC), Book 7, Title 10. The core provision is Article 7:634 DCC, which entitles an employee to at least four times their weekly working hours in vacation days. For a full-time Rijswijk employee working 40 hours per week (five days of eight hours), this means 20 days per year.

Article 7:641 DCC ensures accrual continues during illness, with deferred uptake until recovery. For part-time work, Article 7:634(2) DCC applies a proportional calculation. CLAs in Rijswijk sectors like the public sector may offer more days, but never below the minimum. The Work and Security Act (WSA) has tightened the six-month uptake period.

Step-by-step calculation of your vacation days

Start the calculation of vacation days with your standard weekly hours. Here is a practical guide for Rijswijk employees:

1. Count the working weeks in a year: 52 weeks total, minus public holidays or local collective days off that do not count toward accrual, such as at the Municipality of Rijswijk.
2. Full-time example: Five days per week yields 4 x 5 = 20 days. For a four-day week: 4 x 4 = 16 days.
3. Part-time adjustment: Scale the minimum based on your hours ratio. Formula: (Working days per week / 5) x 20. For three days: (3/5) x 20 = 12 days.
4. Irregular schedules: Use the average from the previous year (Article 7:634(3) DCC). Divide total hours by 52 for weekly average, then multiply by 4.
5. Pro-rata on starting: If starting mid-year, e.g., on 1 July, you accrue: 20 / 12 x 6 = 10 days.

Track this via an app or payslip; Rijswijk employers must maintain a register (Article 7:635 DCC).

Practical examples of vacation days calculation

To make the calculation of vacation days concrete, here are some Rijswijk scenarios.

Example 1: Full-time civil servant at Municipality of Rijswijk
Anna works 40 hours per week (five days). Base: 4 x 5 = 20 statutory days. Her CLA adds 6, totaling 26. Started on 1 April: (20 / 12) x 9 ≈ 15 days.

Example 2: Part-time healthcare worker
Ben works 24 hours per week (three days of eight hours). Result: (3/5) x 20 = 12 days. Accrual continues during maternity leave, uptake later.

Example 3: Flexible hospitality worker in Rijswijk
Carla has variable hours, averaging 30 per week last year. Average 3.75 days: 4 x 3.75 = 15 days.

These cases highlight the need for tailored calculations. Check your payslip or HR, or call the Rijswijk Legal Aid Office for assistance.

Rights and obligations regarding vacation days

Employees in Rijswijk are entitled to:

• At least statutory days, paid at normal daily rate (Article 7:637 DCC).
• Continued accrual during illness, maternity leave, or unpaid leave.
• Refusal only for compelling business reasons.

Obligations include:

• Requesting leave well in advance (at least two months ahead, or as agreed).
• Taking leave within the deadline; otherwise, it lapses.
• Employers set schedules and explain calculations.

Upon termination, untaken days are paid out (no transition payment). Disputes are resolved via the District Court of Rijswijk.

Comparison: Statutory versus extra-statutory