A draft settlement agreement (VSO) is an initial proposal from your employer to terminate your employment by mutual consent. This document contains agreements on your severance pay, notice period and possible work release, among other things. Although the proposal looks formal, it is not yet final. Only after it has been signed is the agreement binding. This is precisely why it is wise to have an experienced lawyer look over it before you agree. This way, you can be sure that your rights have been properly established and that there is room for better terms.
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Fast forward to
- What is a draft settlement agreement?
- What is in a draft settlement agreement?
- Why is it best to have a draft VSO checked?
- 14-day reflection period after signing the draft VSO
- Get your draft VSO checked for free: 95% chance of a better dismissal deal
- Draft VSO not fair? Our lawyers assist you during negotiations
- We would like to introduce ourselves
- Our strength
- Read more about settlement agreements
- Frequently asked questions about a draft settlement agreement
What is a draft settlement agreement?
A draft settlement agreement is a first version of the agreements your employer wants to make about ending your employment. This draft usually already includes things like the termination date, the amount of severance pay, any non-competition clause and whether you will be released from work. It is important to note that you have not signed anything yet. This is only an invitation to negotiate. So you do not have to agree immediately. Indeed, with a good legal check, there is a good chance that you can negotiate better terms.
What is in a draft settlement agreement?
In a draft settlement agreement, you will find the main agreements about your dismissal that your employer wants to set down. These include:
- End date of employment
- Severance pay or transition allowance
- Notice period
- Possible exemption from work
- Statement that the dismissal is not culpable (important for your WW entitlement)
- Agreements on holidays and overtime
- Competition or relationship clause
- A certificate or reference
- Legal budget for verification of the agreement
As this is an initial proposal, these points may still be negotiable.
Why is it best to have a draft VSO checked?
A draft VSO often seems complete and correct at first glance, but appearances can be deceptive. Employers draft these documents in their own interests and do not always give sufficient consideration to your rights. If you sign the draft without checking, you could miss out on important benefits or even jeopardise your unemployment benefit. A dismissal lawyer knows exactly what to look out for:
- Is the fee market-based?
- Are your rights to WW secured?
- Is the notice period correct?
- Are any restrictive clauses such as a non-compete clause reasonable?
If you have the draft checked by our dismissal lawyers, you will increase the chances of a better settlement with 95% and avoid unpleasant consequences afterwards.
Is the settlement agreement legally correct? Have an expert look into it
14-day reflection period after signing the draft VSO
If you sign a settlement agreement, under the law you have 14-day cooling-off period. Within this period, you may without reason waive the agreement. This is regulated by law to protect you so that you do not make a decision under pressure that you later regret.
Note: this reflection period only applies if the dismissal has been agreed by mutual consent. If the employer gives you does not inform in writing about your right to a cooling-off period, the deadline is even extended to 3 weeks. It is therefore important to check carefully whether this right is correctly included in your VSO.
Get your draft VSO checked for free: 95% chance of a better dismissal deal
Are you sitting with a draft VSO in your hands and unsure if everything is right? Have it free inspection by our lawyers. Our lawyers assess at lightning speed whether your agreement is correct and whether your rights are well established. In 95% of cases, we ensure a better dismissal settlement.
Draft VSO not fair? Our lawyers assist you during negotiations
Does the free VSO check show that better conditions are possible? Then our dismissal lawyers will be happy to go to work for you. In 98% of cases, this will cost you nothing at all, as employers have often included a budget for legal costs. Has your employer not arranged this? Then we will still recover these costs for you. Our lawyers negotiate on your behalf on matters such as severance pay, notice period and additional agreements, while also including legal fees in the negotiations. Once everything is finalised, we will properly finalise the settlement agreement and remain available for all your questions.
We would like to introduce ourselves
Transitievergoedingberekenen.nl was founded by employment lawyer Robin Sieverdink. Even while studying law, he noticed how often employees were unfairly pressurised without knowing their rights. This motivated him to dedicate himself fully to fair support in case of dismissal. He now helps people facing difficult choices on a daily basis.
At Transitievergoedingberekenen.nl, we take the time to really listen to your story and fight for the best dismissal settlement. In most cases, our help is also free of charge, as employers often reimburse these costs. With over 15 years of experience and a mountain of legal knowledge, we ensure in 95% of cases that clients get a better severance settlement than in the initial proposal.
Our strength
- We take the time for you
- In 95% of cases, we achieve a better settlement than the employer's initial proposal.
- During a free consultation, we will immediately give you a clear and realistic assessment of your situation.
- You are constantly kept informed of progress; transparent communication is our top priority.
- We monitor your rights, such as your entitlement to unemployment benefits or payment of holidays.
- You will receive expert legal support, with no hidden costs or unpleasant surprises.
Read more about settlement agreements
Frequently asked questions about a draft settlement agreement
Sure. A draft settlement agreement is a proposal from your employer, not a final agreement. Almost all parts, such as severance pay, notice period, work release and certificate, are negotiable. Legal help can make all the difference here.
Yes, even if you have signed a draft VSO, you can revoke it in writing within 14 days of signing without giving any reason. This is regulated by law to give you as an employee a chance to reconsider your decision.
Yes, a settlement agreement is legally binding once both parties, you and your employer, have signed. The document sets out the agreements on termination of employment and is therefore legally valid.