WorkRights Legal is Rotterdam's leading employment and labour law firm. We have represented over 3,200 workers in disputes with employers — from wrongful dismissal to workplace discrimination and collective bargaining.
From individual disputes to complex collective actions, our team handles all aspects of employment and labour law across the Netherlands and EU courts.
We challenge unfair terminations and ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Our team scrutinises the procedural and substantive requirements for lawful dismissal under Dutch employment law.
Learn more →Before you sign — or after an employer breaches terms — our specialists review and negotiate employment contracts, including probationary clauses, garden leave provisions, and bonus arrangements.
Learn more →Every worker deserves dignity at work. We represent employees facing discrimination on grounds of gender, age, race, disability or religion, and pursue claims before the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights.
Learn more →We advise trade unions, works councils and employee representatives on collective agreements, industrial action rights, and co-determination procedures under Dutch Works Councils Act (WOR).
Learn more →Reporting wrongdoing should not cost you your career. We advise whistleblowers on the Whistleblowers Protection Act (Wet bescherming klokkenluiders) and defend against retaliatory dismissal or victimisation.
Learn more →Overly broad non-compete clauses can derail your career. We challenge restrictive covenants that do not meet Dutch law requirements and negotiate reasonable limitations with former employers.
Learn more →Founded in 2006, WorkRights Legal has grown into one of the Netherlands' most respected employment law practices. Our Rotterdam office serves workers throughout the country and across EU borders, combining deep legal expertise with a genuine commitment to workplace justice.
We believe that access to quality legal representation should not depend on your financial resources. That is why we offer flexible fee arrangements including No Win No Fee* for eligible cases, ensuring that every worker can stand up for their rights regardless of their means.
Our team brings together specialists in Dutch labour law, EU employment directives, and international human rights standards, offering clients comprehensive and effective representation.
Our lawyers combine deep specialist knowledge with a personal, compassionate approach to every case.
Maria has been a partner at WorkRights Legal since 2010 and is widely regarded as one of the leading employment law specialists in the Netherlands. A graduate of Leiden University with a postgraduate LLM from Utrecht, she has represented workers in landmark cases before the Dutch Supreme Court.
James joined the firm in 2016 after a background in trade union advisory work. His experience advising both individual workers and employee representative bodies gives him unique insight into the practical realities of workplace disputes. He is fluent in English and Dutch.
Eva specialises in whistleblower protection and workplace harassment cases. After completing her legal studies at Erasmus University Rotterdam, she trained at a leading international law firm before returning to her home city to join WorkRights Legal in 2020.
We make the legal process clear, transparent and as straightforward as possible.
Book a no-obligation consultation with one of our specialists. We listen to your situation, assess the strength of your case, and explain your options clearly and honestly.
We review all relevant documents — your employment contract, termination letter, correspondence — and conduct a thorough legal analysis of your rights and remedies under Dutch and EU law.
We develop a tailored strategy and take action on your behalf: from opening negotiations with your employer to issuing formal legal proceedings in the courts or labour tribunals.
Whether through negotiated settlement, mediation or court judgment, we pursue the best outcome for you — and explain every step so you remain in full control of your case.
Real outcomes for real workers. Here is what some of our clients have shared about their experience with WorkRights Legal.
After being dismissed without notice, I was completely lost. Maria and her team took my case immediately and within three months had secured a settlement that exceeded what I had hoped for. They kept me informed at every stage and never made me feel like just another case number.
I experienced systematic harassment from my line manager for over two years. I was afraid to speak up. WorkRights Legal guided me through the entire process with professionalism and sensitivity. The outcome — both financial and in terms of my workplace being improved — was beyond my expectations.
My employer tried to enforce a non-compete clause that would have prevented me from working in my industry for two years. James challenged it and had it struck down as unreasonably broad within six weeks. Outstanding work — I am now happily employed with a competitor.
Clear answers to the questions we hear most often. If you do not find what you need, contact us for a free consultation.
Under our No Win No Fee arrangement (also known as a conditional fee arrangement), you pay no legal fees if we do not win your case. If we are successful, our fee is typically calculated as a percentage of the compensation awarded. This arrangement is available for eligible wrongful dismissal and discrimination claims. We will confirm whether your case qualifies during the initial free consultation. Terms and conditions apply — marked with * where referenced on this site.
Time limits are critically important in employment law. In the Netherlands, you generally have two months from the termination date to challenge a dismissal before a court. For certain types of claim, including discrimination claims, different limitation periods may apply. We strongly advise contacting us as soon as possible after dismissal so we can assess your case and ensure you do not miss any deadlines.
Yes, in many cases. If you are based and work primarily in the Netherlands, Dutch employment law typically applies to your employment relationship regardless of where your employer is headquartered. EU Regulation Rome I establishes rules for determining applicable law. We regularly handle cases involving multinational employers and are experienced in navigating cross-border employment law matters.
Start by keeping a detailed record of incidents — dates, times, witnesses, and exactly what was said or done. Preserve any written evidence such as emails or messages. You may also consider reporting internally through your company's HR department or complaints procedure, though this is not always required before taking legal action. Contact us for a confidential consultation so we can assess whether you have a claim under the Equal Treatment Act (Algemene wet gelijke behandeling).
It varies significantly depending on the type of dispute and whether it settles or proceeds to a court judgment. Many employment cases in the Netherlands are resolved within three to six months, often through negotiation before proceedings are even issued. Court proceedings in the subdistrict courts (kantonrechter) are relatively swift compared to other jurisdictions. Complex cases involving appeals or multiple parties may take longer. We will always give you a realistic assessment of the likely timeline for your specific case.
Our team is ready to listen to your situation and provide clear, practical advice. The initial consultation is completely free and without obligation.