Booking.com and its works council in court over mandatory office days
Booking.com wants its 7,000 employees in the Netherlands in the office at least two days a week, and its works council does not agree, so the two faced each other in an Amsterdam court.
Booking.com and its own works council (ondernemingsraad) faced each other in an Amsterdam court over the company's home-working policy. The case is a kort geding, or summary proceedings.
The dispute over the home-working policy has become heated. The travel company wants its 7,000 employees in the Netherlands to come to the office at least two days a week. The works council does not agree with this.
Should Booking.com staff in the Netherlands be required to be in the office at least two days a week?
- Booking.com
- Wants employees in the office at least two days a week.
- Works council
- Does not agree with the office-day requirement.
OR (Ondernemingsraad)
The works council is an internal committee of employees that represents staff interests and consults with management on company policy. Dutch law requires any organization with 50 or more employees to establish one, ensuring workers have a formal voice in significant operational and organizational decisions.
Kort geding
An expedited summary proceeding is a civil court procedure used in the Netherlands for urgent matters that cannot wait for a regular trial. The judge issues a provisional but legally binding ruling to quickly resolve the immediate conflict. While the ruling is temporary, it effectively settles most disputes without the need for a standard, lengthier lawsuit.