In the Netherlands, suspension normally leaves the employment contract and wage entitlement in place. Keeping an employee away from work is separate from stopping pay. That distinction can create payroll and cash risks for employers.
Why this matters
A suspension can protect staff, customers, cash, stock or company records while the employer checks the facts. The employer has chosen to prevent the work, so wages usually continue. An unjustified payroll stop can lead to wage arrears, interest and a statutory increase of up to 50% of overdue wages. A court may reduce that increase.
Example
A retailer receives a serious complaint about an employee. The manager sends the employee home, takes the keys and blocks access to the till system. Those steps may be reasonable during the investigation. Payroll is a separate decision. The employee remains employed, so wages normally continue. The manager records the reason, hears the employee and sets a review date.
XTROVERSO tips
- Keep access and pay separate. Blocking a login, key or customer file does not end the contract. Send payroll a clear written instruction that reflects the employee’s wage position.
- Put the reason on file. Record what triggered the suspension, what the measure protects and who approved it. Give the employee the reason in writing.
- Set a review date. Do not let the measure run without an end point. Name the person handling the file and set the date for the next decision.
- Check the employment rules. Review the contract, staff handbook and applicable collective agreement. They may set rules on grounds, procedure or duration.
- Use one controlled file. Keep the complaint, evidence, employee response, access changes, payroll instructions and review decisions together. Limit access to people who need the file.
Need a suspension process that links management, payroll and the employee file? XTROVERSO can help you put one in place
The data, sourcing, and analysis behind this article were conducted by Paolo Maria Pavan. AI was not used to identify sources, build the factual basis, or produce the analytical judgment contained here. AI was used only as a drafting aid. The final English text was personally reviewed, edited, and approved by Paolo Maria Pavan before publication.
References
- Salaris Vanmorgen — Non-actiefstelling en schorsing: regels, risico’s en loondoorbetaling
- Rechtspraak — Non-actiefstelling en schorsing
- Wettenbank — Burgerlijk Wetboek, Boek 7, artikel 628
- Hoge Raad — Van der Gulik/Vissers, ECLI:NL:HR:2003:AF3057
- Wettenbank — Burgerlijk Wetboek, Boek 7, artikel 625
- Rijksoverheid — Handreiking meldingen van grensoverschrijdend gedrag op de werkvloer
- Gerechtshof Arnhem-Leeuwarden — ECLI:NL:GHARL:2026:3092
