Get to work a quarter earlier and a quarter later

Questioner

We are currently required to arrive at work 15 minutes early and leave 15 minutes late, unpaid. This amounts to 12 hours per month for us. Can our employer demand this of us?

Lawyer

There was a recent ruling about an employee at a call center (at the bottom of this message is the link to the ruling). In that case, the judge ruled that there was working time. 'After all, it is indeed a time during which instructions from the company apply, namely starting up all programs that are necessary to carry out the work. It is therefore a matter of preparatory work that is necessary to be able to carry out the telephone work.' This does not mean that there is a right to payment in all circumstances. It will have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis whether that time can be seen as working time (and also whether agreements have been made in the employment contract and/or the collective labour agreement). Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss your situation and/or require legal assistance. https://deeplink.rechtspraak.nl/uitspraak?id=ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2021:16078