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Drafting a zero-hours contract

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Our services include a free consultation, a draft document, a revision round, and a final document. We invoice after sending the draft document.

Experience with legal services for entrepreneurs since 2001
Lawyers and legal professionals.Direct contact with a specialist who thinks practically.
Fixed rates.Where possible, clarity regarding costs in advance.
Within 4 hoursWe respond quickly to your request.
  • We worked for, among others:
  • MKBjuristen.nl partner
  • MKBjuristen.nl partner
  • MKBjuristen.nl partner
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We worked for, among others:

An incorrect document often provides a false sense of security.
You think everything is taken care of, but only discover whether the document actually works during a conflict or claim.

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We draft a custom document or review your existing document legally.

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You will receive a final version with instructions on correct usage.

Mr. Jaime Boogaers
Mr. Jaime Boogaers
Corporate Law
Attorney, 16 years of experience

A legal document must not only be legally correct. Above all, it must align with how the entrepreneur will actually use the document

  • Lawyers and in-house counsel
  • Active since 2001
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About us

Our expertise

Our lawyers and in-house counsel specialize in drafting, reviewing, and amending legal documents and contracts. We look not only at the legal text but also at how you use the document in practice.

Custom solutions for your industry

Every business operates differently. That is why we take your industry, customers, working methods, and specific risks into account.

Our facts

  • Active since 2001
  • Lawyers and in-house counsel
  • Fixed rates in advance
  • Tailored legal solutions for entrepreneurs
  • Thousands of agreements per year
  • Customization
  • About us
from 99.- per document

Do you already have a document, but are unsure if it is still correct? We check content, risks, and practical usability.

  • Our legal expert spends 0.5 to 1.5 hours on the check
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  • Checks on content, risks, and practical usability
  • Attention to liability, payment, and termination
  • Concrete points for improvement and legal advice
  • Delivered within 3 working days, express delivery possible
from 249.- per document

Is your document outdated, copied, generated with AI, or no longer suitable? We check and adjust the document.

  • Our legal expert spends 1.5 to 2.5 hours checking and making adjustments
  • Telephone intake with a lawyer
  • Verification of the existing document
  • Adaptation to your business and working methods
  • Suitable for new services, customers, or risks
  • Delivered within 5 working days, express delivery possible

About us

Our expertise

Our lawyers and in-house counsel specialize in drafting, reviewing, and amending legal documents and contracts. We look not only at the legal text but also at how you use the document in practice.

Custom solutions for your industry

Every business operates differently. That is why we take your industry, customers, working methods, and specific risks into account.

Our facts

  • Active since 2001
  • Lawyers and in-house counsel
  • Fixed rates in advance
  • Tailored legal solutions for entrepreneurs
  • Thousands of agreements per year

Reviews (21)

Adil

It was immediately clear which steps we needed to follow. It was very pleasant that we could review the drafts digitally and quickly. Our customers are responding positively to the clear general terms and conditions.

Manon

They really thought along with our situation. It was nice that they didn't charge by the hour for a simple extra question. Our customers respond positively to the clear general terms and conditions.

Yahya

The commitment to our case was palpable from the very first minute. Even outside regular hours, we received a quick response to an urgent question. A party that delivers on what it promises on its website.

Rose

The lawyer's sharp questions immediately got us thinking. They managed to reduce an extremely tough file to manageable proportions. These documents will undoubtedly save us a lot of headaches in the future.

Soufian

The nuances of our business operations were listened to carefully. The setup of the cooperation agreement was logical and very well structured. It is clear that they have a passion for entrepreneurship.

Farid

The promise of a quick start-up was absolutely fulfilled. The concept was clear and practically applicable. Everything was delivered neatly and on time.

Blackbird

The openness regarding the expected result was very welcome. The documents are written in such a way that they grow with the future of our company. The service was professional and personal.

Anouk

The initial analysis of our documents was razor-sharp. It was clearly indicated what we needed to pay attention to. A reliable partner who strives for perfection in their documents.

Nabil

I noticed how customer-oriented the initial approach was. The adjustment round also went smoothly. It is clear that they have a passion for entrepreneurship.

Claudia

The approach was professional and personal. The concept was ready quickly and highly usable. A party that delivers on what it promises on the website.

Ali

Good service and a clear working method. Ample time was taken to discuss the various options and their implications. Fantastic value for money for this level of expertise.

Joost

We urgently needed a lawyer and were helped immediately. We appreciated the honesty when it turned out that a specific request of ours was legally unfeasible. A party that delivers on what it promises on its website.

Guus

The approachability of this firm is a real plus. It was nice that complex legal theories were explained with simple practical examples. Everything was delivered neatly and on time.

Ismail

We had a rather specific legal issue, but this was no problem at all. They were fantastic at thinking along with us about how we could keep the document commercially friendly. A party that delivers on what it promises on its website.

Hanane

The consultation provided immediate clarity. We received an excellent explanation regarding the implications of applicable law in our international contracts. Everything was delivered neatly and on time.

Petra

The working method was clear from the start. The expertise regarding e-commerce legislation was clearly the added value in this process. The service was professional and personal.

Bilal

Our company's specific needs were listened to carefully beforehand. The document was clearly tailored to our working methods. Fantastic value for money for this level of expertise.

Dennis

We needed a custom solution, and that was handled well. The feedback we received on our own concept was incredibly insightful and useful. It is clear that they have a passion for entrepreneurship.

Bjorn

The nuances of our business operations were listened to carefully. They immediately recognized where the sensitivities lay within our collaboration. Our business partners were impressed by the professionalism of the contracts.

Adam

No time was wasted on unnecessary formalities. The revisions were spot-on every time and required virtually no correction on our part. The document was accepted flawlessly by our investors.

Selma

The clear start gave us a lot of confidence for the rest of the process. Legal jargon was avoided where possible or explained in understandable language. These documents will undoubtedly save us a lot of headaches in the future.

Meet our office

Our ContractCheck, simply explained what can all go wrong.

Why MKB Juristen?

Since 2001, we have been active as a no-nonsense legal firm for entrepreneurs. We quickly get to the heart of the matter: with a thorough assessment, clear answers, and a document that works practically.

  • Nationwide coverage
  • First consultation free and without obligation
  • Fixed rates where possible
  • Affordable legal advice from lawyers and legal experts
  • Always a response within 4 hours

First, see how we work

A legal document requires trust. You see immediately who we are, how we help entrepreneurs, and why we do not work with standard templates.

  • You can view our working method before submitting an application
  • You will get a feel for the office and the people faster
  • The video supports the choice for customized legal solutions
  • After that, you can immediately request a quote or intake

What you can expect from us

We translate your situation into a legal document that you can actually use. You won't receive a loose template, but a document tailored to your business, agreements, and risks.

  • A clear roadmap: intake, concept, revision round, and final version
  • Practical explanation on how to use the document
  • Legal attention to liability, payment, and termination
  • Where possible, provide clarity in advance regarding price and delivery time
Are you unsure whether you should have the document drafted, checked, or amended?
During the initial consultation, we will determine the sensible course of action together. Afterward, you will know exactly where you stand.

Why customization?

A legal document only works well if it aligns with your business, agreements, risks, and industry. That is why we do not work with a standard generator, but with legal experts who assess your situation.

  • Prepared for your company
  • Telephone consultation included
  • No standard template
  • Review by legal specialists

What do you get?

You will receive a legal document that is practical and aligns with the agreements you wish to make.

  • Draft document or legal review
  • One adjustment round
  • Clear explanation where necessary
  • Fixed price where possible

The founders of MKB Juristen

Our organization consists of several small teams working within various legal fields. Each legal field has its own senior in-house counsel and/or lawyers.

Denian Wielhouwer

Corporate lawyer in corporate law & business expert

Denian Wielhouwer

Annelore Hendriks

Corporate lawyer, corporate law, administrative law

Annelore Hendriks

Ilja van Driel

Corporate law attorney, employment law

Ilja van Driel

Jaime Boogaers

Corporate law, ICT & privacy law, energy law attorney

Jaime Boogaers
Custom choices

Which choices determine the content?

Before drafting the contract, you make a number of choices that determine the content and legal scope. These choices determine, among other things, whether you may exclude continued payment of wages and which time limits apply.

Choice or question Why this matters legally
Fixed-term or indefinite term? A zero-hours contract can be for a fixed or indefinite period. With successive fixed-term contracts, a permanent contract may arise after a period of time (chain rule).
Does a collective labor agreement apply? A collective labour agreement may extend or limit the possibility of excluding continued payment of wages and prescribe its own notice periods. Check this first.
Do you wish to exclude continued payment of wages? This is only permitted during the first six months, unless a collective labour agreement extends this for specific positions. After that, the general rule of continued payment of wages applies.
How much work do you expect on a structural basis? In the case of structural work, the legal presumption regarding the scope of employment is relevant: after three months, the employee is entitled to the average number of hours worked.
Is this really flexible work? For stable, predictable work, a zero-hours contract is unsuitable, and a (min-max or fixed) contract is more logical.
Clauses and provisions

What elements belong in a zero-hours contract?

Legally, a zero-hours contract is an employment agreement without fixed working hours. In addition to standard employment conditions, there are several components that are essential specifically for the on-call arrangement. Below, you will see what belongs in the document and why.

Provision Relevant to Legal point of attention
Parties and function Always Employer, employee, and a clear job description, so that it is established which work is being called upon.
No fixed working hours Always Explicitly state that no fixed number of hours has been agreed upon and that only hours worked will be paid.
Call-up and call-up period Always The employee is called up at least four days in advance; in the event of a later or withdrawn call-up, he is entitled to wages for the call-up.
Wages and exclusion of continued payment of wages First 6 months The hourly wage plus the agreement that continued payment of wages during non-work is excluded for the first six months (only if permitted).
Holidays, holiday pay and accrual Always Holiday pay (8%) and holiday hours are accrued in proportion to the hours worked.
Duration and termination Always Fixed-term or indefinite contract, probationary period, and notice periods; for on-call contracts, a shortened notice period applies to the employee.
Offer of fixed hours after 12 months For contracts longer than 12 months The employer must annually offer a fixed number of hours in writing, based on the average of the previous year.
Collective Labour Agreement provisions If applicable An applicable collective labour agreement may deviate from statutory rules; refer to it and correctly adopt the provisions of the agreement.
Use in practice

How do you use this document correctly?

A zero-hours contract only works well if you comply with the statutory deadlines and obligations in practice. Below you will find the most important moments and actions.

Situation What should you do? Point of attention
Upon commencement of employment Have the employee sign the contract in writing before the first working day. A written agreement is required to legally exclude continued payment of wages.
With every call Give written notice at least four days in advance. In the event of a shorter or withdrawn call-up, the employee is still entitled to the wages for those hours.
After 12 months of employment Make a written offer for fixed hours within one month. If you do not do this, the employee is entitled to wages as if the offer had been accepted.
In case of a change in the work pattern Review the scope of work and adjust the contract if necessary. In the case of structurally higher hours, the legal presumption may lead to a higher fixed working hours.
Common mistakes

Common mistakes

With zero-hour contracts, things often go wrong regarding the formal requirements for call-ups, deadlines, and wages. These errors lead to unexpected wage claims. Below are the most common ones.

Wrong Consequence Better approach
Exclude continued payment of wages after six months The exclusion is invalid and you must continue paying wages even without work. Limit the exclusion to the first six months, unless a collective labor agreement permits an extension.
Late or verbal summoning The employee is entitled to wages for the call-up, even if he does not show up for work. Always give at least four days' notice and call in writing.
Forgot annual fixed hours offer The employee can claim wages based on the average of the previous year. Set a reminder and make a written offer after every 12 months.
Continue calling in fixed hours on a structural basis The legal presumption establishes a fixed scope of employment. For predictable work, offer a suitable permanent or minimum-maximum contract in a timely manner.
No written contract Continued payment of wages cannot be ruled out, and agreements are difficult to prove. Record all agreements in writing and have them signed before the first working day.
Risk profile

What is your situation and what do you pay attention to?

The correct approach depends on your situation. Below are a few common situations and the key considerations for each.

Risk profile Example Focus in the document
Seasonal or peak work You only need extra people during certain periods. A zero-hours contract works well, but pay attention to the chain rule for recurring seasonal contracts.
Replacement during illness or leave You call upon call-ups occasionally to cover for absences. Adhere to the notice period and ensure that the work does not become structural.
Start-up company You do not yet know how much structural work there is. Start flexibly, but evaluate after three months due to the legal presumption regarding the scope of employment.
Gradually more hours The employee is actually working more and more often. Assess whether a minimum-maximum or fixed contract is more appropriate to prevent claims.
Additional documents

When is this document not enough?

Sometimes a zero-hours contract does not suit your situation, or you require an additional document. Below are some alternatives.

Situation Supplementary document Why
Situation Related document Explanation
You want a lower and upper limit on the hours Employment contract For predictable work, an employment contract with fixed or minimum-maximum hours is often more suitable than a zero-hours contract.
You hire a self-employed person instead of an employee Management Agreement If you prefer an assignment to a self-employed person rather than an employment relationship, a contract for services or a management agreement is appropriate.
The employee is granted access to sensitive information Confidentiality Agreement Supplement the employment contract with a confidentiality clause or a separate confidentiality agreement.
Explanation of this document

Drafting a zero-hours contract, why?

Not every entrepreneur knows exactly what zero-hour contracts are, when they are needed, and which risks they must cover. That is why we explain below what this document entails, what to look out for, and why customized legal solutions are important.

What is a zero-hours contract?
A zero-hours contract is an employment agreement in which no fixed working hours are agreed upon: the employer calls upon the employee when there is work, and the employee is, in principle, not obliged to respond to every call. The zero-hours contract is the most flexible but also the most regulated form of flexible employment. Pursuant to Article 7:628a of the Dutch Civil Code, the zero-hours contract is an on-call agreement: a notice period of at least four days applies, the obligation to make an annual offer applies after twelve months, and after twelve months the employee is entitled to an offer for fixed working hours equal to the average of the past twelve months. As of 2026, additional restrictions on on-call contracts are expected via the Flexible Employment Admission Act. Our lawyers will draft a zero-hours contract for you that complies with all on-call contract rules of Article 7:628a of the Dutch Civil Code, correctly establishes the notice period, and anticipates the additional restrictions as of 2026.
What legal rights does a zero-hours employee have?
Despite the flexible working hours, the zero-hours employee enjoys a broad suite of statutory rights that frequently surprise employers. First, the right to continued payment of wages during illness: if the zero-hours employee falls ill while called up for work, they are entitled to continued payment of the wages called up for that day. Second, the right to vacation days: even a zero-hours employee accrues vacation days based on the hours actually worked. Third, the annual offer of fixed working hours after twelve months pursuant to Article 7:628a of the Dutch Civil Code. Fourth, the four-day notice period: if the employer gives notice shorter than this, the employee is not required to come, but is nevertheless entitled to three hours' pay for the missed call-up if the contract has lasted more than three months. Fifth, the cancellation fee: in the event of cancellation of a call-up less than four days in advance, the employee is entitled to the wages for the cancelled hours. Our lawyers ensure a zero-hours contract that correctly addresses all these rights.
When does prolonged zero-hours employment lead to a fixed workload?
This is the biggest pitfall for employers who structurally employ zero-hours contract workers for a fixed number of hours. Pursuant to Article 7:610b of the Dutch Civil Code, a legal presumption regarding the scope of employment applies: if an employee has worked a certain average number of hours per week for three months or longer, it is presumed that their scope of employment is equal to the average of those three months. The employee can file a wage claim based on that average number of hours, even if they were called upon for fewer hours. Your zero-hours contract only protects you if you use it as such in practice: the structural use of zero-hours contract workers as permanent employees is legally vulnerable. Our lawyers advise you on the limits of using zero-hours contracts and the risks associated with long-term employment.
How does it work at MKBjuristen?
After a brief consultation regarding the position, the expected form of employment, and your organization, our lawyers draft a zero-hours contract that complies with all on-call contract regulations, correctly sets out the notice period and cancellation fee, and anticipates the additional restrictions effective from 2026.
Are you unsure whether your document is legally correct? We would be happy to assess the sensible course of action: drafting, reviewing, or amending.
Request a quote

Why not use a standard document?

A standard document often seems like a quick solution, but usually does not fully align with your company, agreements, risks, and way of working. Our legal experts draft documents that fit your situation.

Standard document
SME Lawyers
Not tailored to your business
Tailored to your company, industry, and working methods
No control over your specific situation
Consultation with a lawyer and assessment of your risks
Possibly outdated or incomplete
Verification of current and practical provisions
No personal explanation
Explanation regarding the use of the document

A standard document seems cheap, until it doesn't fit your situation properly. That is why we provide custom legal solutions tailored to your business.

Custom solutions per industry and company

Every business operates differently and faces different legal risks. Therefore, we tailor the document to your industry, customers, agreements, and way of working.

Webshops & e-commerce

Focus on online sales, delivery, returns, complaints, payment, digital products, and consumer regulations.

Business services

Attention to the assignment, additional work, liability, payment, termination, and reliance on client information.

Construction, installation & execution

Attention to planning, delivery, warranties, additional work, materials, delays, and liability risks.

Software, SaaS & digital services

Attention to licenses, availability, support, updates, data, intellectual property, and limitation of liability.

Trade, supply & wholesale

Attention to delivery, transport, payment, retention of title, warranties, delivery times, and international agreements.

Consultants, freelancers & advisors

Attention to scope, best efforts obligations, cancellation, payment, liability, and confidential information.


A legal document only has value if it suits your practice. That is why we look not only at the text, but also at how you use the document in your business.

Common mistakes with legal documents

A legal document often seems simple, but small errors can have major consequences later on. In practice, we see that entrepreneurs run the greatest risk when a document does not align well with their business, agreements, or way of working.

  • Using a standard document that does not suit the company
  • Forgot important agreements regarding payment, delivery, liability, or termination
  • Have a document generated without legal review
  • Continuing to use old documents while the company has changed
  • Not knowing how the document should be used correctly in practice

A legal document only prevents problems if it suits your situation. That is why we look not only at the text, but also at your company, agreements, and risks.

Why is a standard document often not enough?

Because a standard document does not take into account your industry, customers, risks, and specific agreements, important provisions may be missing or not align well with your practice.

Can I create a legal document myself using AI?

AI can assist in creating text, but does not independently assess whether the document is legally appropriate, complete, and usable for your business. Legal review therefore remains important.

When do I need to have my document checked?

Have your document checked if your business has changed, you have new customers or services, you have doubts about existing agreements, or the document has not been updated for a long time.

Will I also receive an explanation about the use of the document?

Yes. We explain how to use the document in practice, what to look out for, and which steps are important to prevent disputes afterwards.

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Annelore Hendriks

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SME Lawyers at the Chamber of Commerce Source: Chamber of Commerce 2019
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