Document background
A Departure Notice is a fundamental document in Dutch employment relations, required when an employee decides to voluntarily end their employment relationship. This document type is governed by Dutch employment law, specifically the Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek) and the Work and Security Act (Wet Werk en Zekerheid). The notice must respect statutory notice periods, which in the Netherlands typically range from one to four months depending on the length of employment. When drafting a Departure Notice, consideration must be given to any applicable collective labor agreements (CAO), individual employment contracts, and company policies. The document serves multiple purposes: it formally communicates the employee's intention to leave, establishes the final working day, and initiates the departure process, including arrangements for handover of responsibilities and return of company property.
