FAQ Blue Lynx & the ABU
General Questions & Answers
Blue Lynx Staff Members & the Flu Pandemic
You can find all the answers as well as a lot of information and interesting links on the Flu Pandemic; click on Blue Lynx Staff Members & The Flu Pandemic (this link is located on the Blue Lynx homepage NEWS Section),
Getting started
The company where you will be working will be responsible for and will supervise your work. You are obliged to abide by the rules and regulations of that company for example regarding safety and working hours.
Working hours
Working hours can be found in the confirmation from Blue Lynx regarding your position. Overtime (work at the weekends and/or bank holidays) will be paid in accordance to regulations.
Health and Safety at Work
The company where you will be working is responsible for providing good working conditions so that you can work in a healthy and safe environment. Should there be any safety risks these will be disclosed to you prior to starting work. You are obliged at all times to abide by the health and safety regulations of the company where you will be working, for example if you need to wear protective clothing or footwear, but also that your workplace is ergonomic.
NOTE: You must be able to identify yourself at your workplace at all times. Therefore, always carry a legally recognised and official form of ID with you.
Declaration of hours
In order for Blue Lynx to pay you the correct salary a duly completed and authorised monthly timesheet must be submitted. The timesheet is authorised by having it signed by an appropriately assigned person (supervisor). This timesheet must be sent on the last working day of the month (or prior to this if “leave” is being taken at this time) and can be submitted electronically on-line. The signed version MUST also be sent to the Blue Lynx HR department – either by email to (hr@bluelynx.com) or by fax.: +31 (0)70-311 7823.
How do you fill in the timesheets?
Please go to the timesheet explanation for a sample of how a timesheet should be filled in.
Complaints
Blue Lynx’s policy is to treat people the way we wish to be treated - with care, respect and professionalism. However, if and when a problem arises we advise that you discuss this as quickly as possible with the person in question. If you are unable to resolve a problem/issue then the Blue Lynx “complaints procedure” needs to be followed. This procedure is available from the Blue Lynx HR Department.
Other:
It is important for Blue Lynx to always have your correct and accurate personal information. If any of these details change - for example: change of address, telephone number, marital status (effects your NBV), please be sure to email this information to Blue Lynx on: (hr@bluelynx.com).
Leave Entitlement
As is the norm in The Netherlands with all employees, you (as a temporary worker) are entitled to paid leave (vacation). Permission must be granted by your assigned authorised person (supervisor) and enough entitlement must have been accumulated in order for you to take leave. In most cases leave is not permitted during the first two months of employment. However, in certain circumstances, exceptions can be made to these rules. If you have discussed a pending vacation prior to the commencement date of employment then leave would be granted during the first two months of employment.
Vacation is built up for every hour worked with the exception of overtime.
If you work 40 hours per week, then you will accumulate 192 vacation hours (24 vacation days @ 8 hours) over a 12 month period. When you work less than 40 hours then your vacation entitlement is built up pro-rata.
The manner in which salary is paid during vacation days varies for temporary workers “uitzendkrachten” and contractors “gedetachereeden”. Please see information below:
Temporary workers “uitzendkrachten”
Blue Lynx reserves a percentage of your hourly salary for every hour worked. The reserved amount (or part of) can be paid when you take leave or are between placements. You will automatically receive the remaining amount of your vacation money at the end of your employment with Blue Lynx.
Contractors “gedetacheerden”
Your salary is paid in full when you take leave. You must however have accumulated sufficient vacation days in order to take leave. You need to state the days taken as leave on your timesheet. You can take a maximum of 3 consecutive week’s vacation.
At the end of your employment the vacation days that are remaining will be paid in full. When you have taken too many vacation days (pro-rata) at the end of your employment then these will be deducted from your last salary.
Bank holidays “feestdagen”
When a bank holiday falls on one of your normal working days then your salary will be paid in full. When a bank holiday falls on a day that you do not work then you will receive no payment.
Official bank holidays:
| New Years Day | Easter Monday |
|
Queens Day (Koniginnedag) |
Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag - once per 5 years), |
| Ascension Day | Whitsun (2e Pinksterdag) |
| Christmas Day | Boxing Day |
Salary
Salary will be paid in accordance with the agreed gross amount and upon timely receipt of your timesheet. The amount paid will be equivalent to the hours duly worked. Failure to submit your timesheet on time will result in non-payment. Please note: in extremely exceptional circumstances this policy could possibly be waivered.
Collective Agreement (CAO Policy)
|
In phase A |
- salary is received for hours worked. |
| In phase B and C | - salary is received to a minimum of 90% of the hours you are employed to work. |
This also applies when Blue Lynx does not have a position for you but is actively seeking further employment for you. Flexibility for new positions is required. Failure to show flexibility in accepting new positions offered by Blue Lynx could result in a stop in salary payments.
Remuneration “beloning”
The level of your salary is determined by:
- The remuneration policy “beloningsregeling” of the CAO for temporary workers or;
- The remuneration policy “beloningsregeling” of the company (client) where you will work.
The salary ruling - what you can earn?
There are various salary rulings for temporary workers - decided by the Collective Employment Agreements (CAO) and the rulings of the company where you will work. Below is an outline of some of the rulings. Should you require further information in this regard; the Blue Lynx HR Department (hr@bluelynx.com) is ready to assist you.
Unbroken employment of 26 weeks at one company determines that you will automatically fall under the salary ruling of that company.
The remuneration ruling of the Employment Agreement (CAO) for temporary workers
Being employed under the temporary workers agreement ensures that there are rules applicable to overtime, travel costs, salary increases and ADV-days. These benefits are calculation in line and in accordance with the agreement set out (CAO) www.abu.nl.
In accordance with the CAO ruling in relation to level of your salary, Blue Lynx has devised a remuneration schedule (below). Your salary is determined using the table once a function group has been identified. The function group is relative to the level of position you are employed to carry out in conjunction with your previous work experience. Those employees who have not yet obtained work experience or have no recent work experience will be remuneration for the first year at EURO 7.71 gross per hour. This amount may differ to the legal minimum salary. Once a full year or work has been completed, an appropriate function group will then be chosen to compliment the level of the position held.
|
Function Group |
Start Salary |
End Salary |
|
1. |
8.24 |
10.42 |
|
2. |
8.49 |
11.06 |
|
3. |
8.81 |
11.79 |
|
4. |
9.21 |
12.71 |
|
5. |
9.63 |
13.70 |
|
6. |
10.10 |
14.87 |
|
7. |
10.70 |
16.40 |
|
8. |
11.36 |
18.29 |
|
9. |
12.14 |
20.58 |
Younger than 23 year
Temporary employees younger than 23 years can be paid a basic-hourly salary. These hourly salaries are a percentage of the legal minimum salary. The percentages vary depending on age. For more information you should contact the Blue Lynx HR Department.
Vacation money (Vacantiegeld)
In addition to the salary received for each hour worked (excluding overtime) you will receive an extra 8% of your salary as vacation money. Blue Lynx pays the vacation money once per year on June 1st or when you leave our employment (if prior to June 1st).
Periodical salary increases
After a consecutive 52 weeks works (one year) a periodical salary increase of 2.75% of your salary is applicable. If you have not worked for Blue Lynx for a period of less than 26 weeks you are obliged to start adding up your weeks worked all over again. When you work in Phase B or C then the vacation weeks are also included when adding up weeks worked. Furthermore, on the first Monday of June you will receive a salary increase in accordance to the CAO increase.
Overtime
Overtime is applicable when you work more than the hours set out by the sector you are working in. The extra time worked must be longer than a period of half an hour. Overtime is paid with a minimum factor of 1.25 and a maximum factor of 1.50.
Travel allowance
The CAO does not have any rulings concerning travel allowance; it is the decision and at the discretion of the company (where you have been placed) whether or not you will receive this allowance. When applicable, original travel receipts must be submitted to Blue Lynx at the same time as your monthly time sheet. Travel allowances are then paid with the next month’s salary.
The remuneration ruling for the company (client)
When the remuneration ruling of the company (client) is applicable then you will receive the same salary as a permanent staff member of that company working in the same function. This applies to: overtime, travel costs, salary increases, representation costs and ADV days.
Salary Specifications
Each month you will receive a salary slip from Blue Lynx specifying your salary and the deductions for tax and premiums. It is important to keep all your salary slips as you could need them in the future for unemployment benefits, mortgage application and/or rent subsidies.
Request to receive deducted income tax
Blue Lynx is obliged to deduct all income tax and social security premiums from your gross salary. This is known as Pay as You Earn (PAYE). These deductions are paid at source to the Tax Office. In the event that you have paid too much tax over a fiscal year (January 1st – December 31st) it is sometimes possible to receive a tax return from the tax office. In order to make a claim at the tax office you need an annual salary overview (jaaropgave) from Blue Lynx. This overview is sent to you each year during the month of February. For more information click here to link directly to the website of the tax office – www.belastingdienst.nl
Training & Development
Work + Study = Growth
Working via Blue Lynx ensures that you will receive excellent guidance in regard to your personal and career development. Our HR department is available for your questions and/or queries regarding this development and study opportunities.
What do you want to study? Is this profession linked?
Together with the Blue Lynx HR Department you can discuss what type of study, course or training scheme would be most beneficial to your work and career development. Short-term courses of one to two days or courses for a few weeks to several months can be followed. Most courses are available on-line which allows you the flexibility to study from the comfort of your own home making it more suitable to combine career development and private life.
Diplomas and Certificates
Once a course has been successfully completed, be sure to add this development to your CV to ensure that your opportunities on the employment market are enhanced.
Leave - Verlof
The following is information on the various types of leave entitlements in accordance with the temporary employment agreement and the labour/care rulings.
Short-term leave/Special leave
In the event that you need to visit a dentist or doctor this time off is granted under “special leave”.
“Special leave” can also be taken for other circumstances (e.g. your marriage). The Blue Lynx HR Department can instruct and give you further information in this regard.
Blue Lynx reserves a fixed percentage of your gross salary to cover the costs of short term leave and special leave. When you stop working for Blue Lynx any unused reserve will automatically be paid to you in the same way as any accumulated vacation reserve.
Flex workers in Phases B & C are remunerated for both short term and special leave in accordance to CAO (to a maximum – this can be checked with the HR Department).
Leave Ruling – (Verlofregeling "wet arbeid & zorg")
Maternity Leave (Zwangerschapsverlof)
A total of 16 weeks is granted for maternity leave (last phase of pregnancy and birth). Full salary is received during this 16 week period. Once the expected delivery date is known this should be communicated to the Blue Lynx HR Department and to the authorised signatory (supervisor) of the company you are working for. This will ensure timely planning for the entitled maternity leave. As always, the Blue Lynx HR Department is happy to provide full rulings on maternity leave upon request.
Paternity leave (Kraamverlof)
Husband/partners (who have officially been acknowledged as the father) have the right to two days leave directly after the birth.
Adoption leave (Adoptieverlof)
Leave of four weeks (unbroken) is granted in the event that a child is adopted. Full salary is remunerated.
Parental leave (Ouderschapverlof)
A parent or (authorised) carer for a child under the age of 8 can request to take parental leave. Salary is not paid during this time for hours not worked. You must be employed for at least one year with Blue Lynx before you can apply for parental leave. Exact rulings can be obtained from the Blue Lynx HR Department.
Care leave (Zorgverlof)
An employee has the right to take leave in the event that they need to care for a sick family member or need to care for a child (children).
In the event that this is required a leave of absence (for a short period of time) can be taken. During this time of absence you will receive 70% of your salary. You must be able to demonstrate after taking this “care leave” that it was truly necessary by presenting some form or written confirmation (an invoice from a GP or Specialist is generally acceptable).
Alternatively if a longer period of “care leave” is required you are permitted to take long term unpaid leave. You can arrange this at any time by applying through the through the appropriate channels.
MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE SITE OF THE MINISTERY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND EMPLOYMENT (MINISTERIE VAN SOCIAL ZAKEN EN WERKGELEGENHEID). This website has a comprehensive English translation: Ministerie van Social Zaken en Werkgelegenheid http://home.szw.nl/
Illness
In the event that you are ill during your employment through Blue Lynx it is imperative that you do the following:
1. Inform the company you have been placed at (Manager/Supervisor);
2. Inform the Blue Lynx HR Department .
In principle a sick leave allowance (uitkering) will always be paid. Alternatively (a percentage of) your salary will continue to be paid.
The ruling about absenteeism due to illness varies for temporary workers and contractors. For more information see:
Illness - temporary worker (uitzendkracht)
In the event of illness during your employment for Blue Lynx:
- You must inform the company (client) where you work.
- You must inform the Blue Lynx HR Department.
- The UWV will send you a confirmation of the illness registration.
- An employee of the UWV could phone you or come and visit you.
- You need to be contactable and available by phone at all times.
- You must stay at home at least until the UWV have contacted you.
- When you are staying at a different address you must inform the UWV.
When you have recovered:
STEP 1.
Inform the UWV on the day you have recovered regardless of whether you work on this day or not (i.e. if you are better on a day you would normally not work, you should still report better). You inform the UWV by calling the “betermeldlijn” on
tel. no.: +31 (0)76-750 2999 (24 hours per day). Make sure to have your BSN number at hand. You will be asked the questions as shown in table 2 below.
|
1. |
"Wat is uw BSN nummer" |
What is your BSN number? |
|
2. |
"Met ingang van welke datum bent u beter?" |
As from which date are you better? |
|
3. |
"Voor welk uitzendbureau bent u werkzaam?" |
For which contracting/temping agency do you work? |
|
4. |
"Wat is uw eerste ziektedag?" |
What was your first day of illness? |
|
5. |
"Wat is uw achternaam, voorletters en eventueel uw meisjesnaam? |
What is your surname, initials, and when applicable your maiden name? |
|
6. |
"Wat is uw geboortedatum?" |
What is your date of birth? |
"Then you will hear "Hierbij is uw betermelding verwerkt, wilt u een medewerker spreken? Druk dan op 1., wij willen u erop wijzen dat u zich weer moet aanmelden bij het uitzendbureau, de verbinding wordt nu automatisch verbroken". This means that the UWV is confirming that your recovery has been processed, if you wish to speak to an employee of the UWV then press 1. We want to inform you that you will have to report to the agency, your call will now be disconnected.
All the above provisions are in accordance with Article 29 of the CAO for temporary workers.
STEP 2.
You visit a doctor whilst on vacation.
When you return from vacation/leave a declaration (in either Dutch or English) must be submitted from the doctor you visited during your vacation. This declaration must state when and for how long you were sick.
Failure to follow these rules could result in your sick pay being denied.
Inform HR at Blue Lynx that you are better +31 (0)70 311 7828.
You need to do this before 10:00hrs.
In the event you cannot return to the work you had prior to illness, Blue Lynx will try and find you alternative work.
If the above steps are not taken or are taken too late – this could result in your receiving a fine.
Illness during a vacation/leave
In the event of illness during vacation/leave then the following rules apply: Medical care insurance is paid directly to an insurance policy of your choice and an income linked contribution is paid via the tax office (7.2% per January 1st 2008). Blue Lynx as your employer compensates the cost of the income linked contribution.
Blue Lynx has a favourable collective agreement with a medical insurance company Avero Achmea. Joining this collective agreement policy offers you a discount on your basic insurance policy and on any additional insurance you wish to take out (e.g. dental care).
More information about Avero Achmea can be found on their website: Avero Achmea www.averoachema.nl
Sick pay allowance
Day 1 and 2 – are so called “waiting days” (wachtdagen) and no salary or allowance will be paid.
Day 3 – Sick pay is entitled.
From the third day of illness a sick pay allowance is granted built up through social insurance premiums (Ziektewet - ZW) plus a contribution from Blue Lynx (paid by the insurance company – Nationale Nederlanden).
During the first 52 weeks 91% of salary is received.
From week 53 until and including week 103 - 80% of your salary is received.
The UWV must be informed of any employment carried out through another agency immediately prior to you being employed by Blue Lynx.
Receiving sickness benefit (ziektewetuitkering)
It can take up to three weeks to process your details and to reimburse your sick pay allowance (ziektewetuitkering) after the initial registering of your illness. The subsequent contribution you will receive through Nationale Nederlanden will be reimbursed thereafter. During the period that sick pay is remunerated, you remain socially insured.
Illness -when you are a contractor (gedetacheerd)
In Phase B and C you will not receive any salary on the first day of illness. As per the second day of sick leave you will receive a percentage of your salary.
1 - 52 weeks of illness you will receive 91% of the salary you were earning prior to falling ill.
53 – 103 weeks of illness you will receive 80% of the salary you were earning prior to falling ill.
Salary will be received up until the end date of your contract. Hereafter no salary remuneration is applicable. In the event that the employment contract ends when you are still ill, an application can be made directly to the UWV for sickness benefit.
In the case of a permanent staff member (indefinite employment contract) and you are still ill after this two year period, an application for benefit can be requested via the UWV. This will then be referred to as “WAO” – an incapacity benefit rather than unemployment benefit. Once this benefit is awarded, the employment contract with Blue Lynx will cease.
Illness supervision (Bedgeleiding)
During your illness Blue Lynx will monitor, support and guide a speedy recovery and return to work – the so called “re-integration”. Blue Lynx uses the support of an illness co-ordinator (verzuimregisseur) who assumes the responsibility of employer. The duties of the co-ordinator will on one side to be the listening ear and supervisor of a sick employee; and on the other side the supervisor to assist in the return to work – “re-integration” (Wet Vebetering Poortwachter).
Illness Co-ordinator
The illness co-ordinator will discuss how well and how quickly recovery is being made and the expected time frame for a return to work. It is obligatory to work together with the illness co-ordinator to agree upon a recovery plan for this re-integration back to work. It is also obligatory to attend meetings set up by the illness co-ordinator. An illness co-ordinator works together with the UWV; their sole responsibility is the guidance, support and coordination of ill employees with the aim of speedy recovery and re-integration. Contact is made by these co-ordinators from the second day of illness and subsequent steps are agreed.
Reporting back to work
On the day of recovery the illness co-ordinator must be informed before 10:00 hrs. It will then be assessed whether or not you are able to return to work or indeed whether alternative and more suitable work must be sought by Blue Lynx for you.
Long term illness
If you are still ill after two years of sick leave then it is likely that an entitlement to incapacity benefit (WAO) is applicable. This will be assessed by the UWV. If you are entitled to the WAO then your employment contract with Blue Lynx will end.
Saving & tax free schemes
Saving Scheme (Spaarloon)
The Dutch Government has a saving scheme which allows you to save part of your income tax free. This saving scheme is available through Blue Lynx who deduct the amount from your gross salary.
The maximum amount of tax free savings that is permitted is € 613.00 per year (2008).
Savings must remain deposited in this savings scheme for a minimum of 4 years. Hereafter savings may be withdrawn.However these savings may also be withdrawn prior to the 4 year period when used to purchase a property and/or for childcare.
You will only pay 1.2% vermogensrendement (investment holdings) of which € 19,522 is free of taxation.
This savings scheme is administered by the insurance company Blue Lynx has assigned - Nationale Nederlanden.
Taking part in this scheme can be organised by contacting The Blue Lynx HR Department.
The following conditions apply:
You can only have this saving scheme with one employer.
You must be in employment with your employee since January 1st and this tax free allowance must also be carried out by the same employer.
CANCELLATION OF WORK IN PHASE A – premature termination
The temporary workers agreement in phase A exists for the duration of the work order and usually ends on the request of the company where you work. Blue Lynx will inform you as quickly as possible when a request is received for this work to end.
In phase A the employment contract ends between you and Blue Lynx when the company (where you are working) stops the work. When you want to stop working you must inform the Blue Lynx HR Department with a minimum of one days notice. However, it is much appreciated if a longer notification period could be given.
Blue Lynx has the following termination periods in Phase A.
|
Temporary period worked |
Termination period |
|
0-12 weeks |
No termination period |
|
12 to 26 weeks |
5 calendar days |
|
26 top 52 weeks |
10 calendar days |
|
52 to 78 weeks |
14 calendar days |
CANCELLATION OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT IN PHASE B
In phase B you will receive an employment contract for a fixed term – i.e. the end date of the employment contract will be stated. The termination period applicable to both Blue Lynx and you as employee must be taken into consideration.
|
Period worked |
Your termination |
|---|---|
|
Less than 3 months |
7 calendar days |
|
Longer than 3 months but shorter than 6 months |
14 calendar days |
|
6 months or longer |
28 calendar days |
|
Longer than 6 months |
one month (termination must be in writing) |
CANCELLATION OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT IN PHASE C
Within phase C there is an employment contract for an indefinite period (that is to say you have a permanent employment contract). In the event that you wish to terminate your employment with Blue Lynx there is a termination period of one month. Blue Lynx can only end this employment contract under special circumstances. You can find more about this in Article 13 van the CAO.
What happens when Blue Lynx does not comply with a termination period?
Should Blue Lynx fail to inform you regarding your employment ending within the stipulated termination period, the payment of the remaining termination period will be honoured. Alternatively Blue Lynx can also offer you equivalent work. If this offer of work is not accepted, then the rights to the termination period payment become void.
Unemployed
When Blue Lynx is unsuccessful in finding you work then in principle you become unemployed. Please think about the following options:
Payment of any reserves accumulated in Blue Lynx - reserveringen laten uitbetalen door Blue Lynx.
Register at the CWI.
Request a WW benefit