Can an employer convert a permanent contract into an irregular contract?

Questioner

I have a permanent contract of 50 hours per 4 weeks (I usually work 70 hours per 4 weeks). I work for a transport and removal company as a telephone operator. I have been doing this from home in Utrecht since January 2014. My employer is in Heteren (45 minutes by car). Now my employer has indicated that he wants to convert the contract to a variable contract because they want to cut costs. The company I work for was owned by another owner until 2 years ago and I went with the transfer. Since then they have been changing things. I refused to convert the contract. I am in my place, can do the work well from Utrecht, as I have been doing for 8 years. As a second option, my employer offered to find me another job, but I also refused this option due to the above reasoning. It is clear that my employer wants to get rid of me, I would like to know what my rights are. I am not interested in a similar job for another employer and would like to continue in the current way. But the employment relationship is now damaged.

Lawyer

If you have a permanent contract with a certain agreed working hours, then this cannot simply be changed unilaterally by the employer. You should also not simply agree to it (which you have not done). You can negotiate a settlement agreement to terminate the employment relationship by mutual consent, and given the above you may also have a good negotiating position, but I advise you not to simply sign something but to seek assistance and advice from an employment law specialist. I am specialized in this. If you wish, you can contact me without obligation (06-30575754).