What does good employeeship entail?

Good employeeship (Article 7:611 of the Dutch Civil Code) obligates an employee to behave reasonably and carefully towards their employer. It is the counterpart to good employership. The standard is open, but has concrete consequences: for instance, an employee must follow reasonable instructions and seriously consider reasonable proposals.

What is good employeeship?

Just as the employer must act as a good employer, the employee must act as a good employee (Article 7:611 of the Dutch Civil Code). The law does not define exactly what this entails; it is an open standard that has been elaborated by case law. The core principle: act reasonably, loyally, and with due care towards your employer.

Examples in practice

Good employeeship includes, among other things: following reasonable instructions from the employer, handling company assets with care, maintaining confidentiality where appropriate, and not competing with or harming the employer during employment. An employee must also seriously consider a reasonable proposal to change the terms of employment and may not refuse it without good grounds.

Change of employment terms

It follows from good employee conduct that an employee must, under certain circumstances, cooperate with a reasonable proposal for change from the employer, certainly if there is a good reason for doing so and the proposal is reasonable. Conversely, the employer must carefully substantiate such a proposal; the standard works both ways.

What if an employee does not behave as a good employee?

If an employee violates the standard — for example, through refusal to work, negligence, or harming the employer — this can have consequences ranging from a warning to, in serious cases, dismissal. Build a solid file in such cases and act with due care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does good employeeship entail?

The statutory standard (Article 7:611 of the Dutch Civil Code) that an employee behaves reasonably, loyally, and with due care towards his employer.

Must an employee always follow instructions?

Reasonable instructions, yes. He does not have to follow unreasonable or unlawful orders.

Must an employee cooperate with changed conditions?

Under certain circumstances, yes: he must seriously consider a reasonable and well-substantiated proposal for amendment and may not refuse it without good grounds.

Questions about the employment relationship?

Our legal experts advise on rights and obligations and draft your employment contract . View our employment lawteam or schedule a free consultation.