If your employer in Zoetermeer refuses the transition payment, start with a formal demand by registered mail. State the dismissal date, your years of service and the calculated amount according to the Zoetermeer labour market context. No response within 14 days? Then file a request with the subdistrict court of the District Court of The Hague, Zoetermeer location, within two months after dismissal, as laid down in Article 7:686a of the Dutch Civil Code.
The subdistrict court in Zoetermeer will assess the case on statutory grounds and may order the employer to pay, including interest and costs of proceedings. Evidence is essential: your employment contract, payslips and dismissal letter. In Zoetermeer, with many SMEs in the tech and logistics sectors, disputes over years of service are common. In a settlement agreement (VSO), it must be explicitly stated that no payment applies, otherwise you retain your right.
From 2025, digital procedures will be rolled out via the digital counter of the Judiciary, accessible to Zoetermeer residents, which accelerates cases at the local subdistrict court. The success rate is around 80% for clear claims, based on recent District Court of The Hague data. Costs: court fee €85 for simple procedures, with a good chance of reimbursement by the employer.
Start with free advice at the Legal Counter in Zoetermeer or the regional mediation centre in the Haaglanden region. In case of urgent financial need in this expensive region, you can apply for an interim measure at the subdistrict court. Document everything carefully, including local collective labour agreements such as those for Zoetermeer industries, to strengthen your position.