Work Meetings and Days Off: Explanation of Your Rights

Questioner

My work entails that we cannot have a work meeting with the entire team during working hours. Work meetings must therefore take place outside working hours. We receive time-for-time compensation for this. The work meeting takes place approximately 4 times a year. Can the employer require me to attend these work meetings? What if I have a roster-free day or a day off that day? Can he also force me to show up outside of working hours?

Lawyer

Yes, the employer can oblige you to be present at this work meeting. After all, this is impossible during working hours. So you write yourself. If the work meeting is planned far in advance, the employer may require you to take this into account. (exceptions aside) If the work meeting is planned on a previously scheduled day off, you do not have to appear. In that case, the day off takes precedence.

Questioner

Thank you, and what if the work meeting takes place on a roster-free day? Then I am not obliged to come? Work meetings are recorded for the entire year.

Lawyer

If the day of the work meeting is fixed, you must plan the (scheduled) days off around it. Otherwise, a work meeting with all staff could never take place. You may then take the (scheduled) day/hours off on another day.