De Unie, in your interest

Am I obliged to work on Sundays?

Whether an employer can oblige you to work on Sundays depends on your collective labor agreement, employment contract or internal company regulations. Working on Sundays is in principle on a voluntary basis, unless stated otherwise. Your employer can also agree with the works council or employee representation that you have to work on Sundays.

There are a number of sectors in which working on Sundays is mandatory. This must of course be included in your collective labor agreement, employment contract or personnel guide. The sectors in which working on Sundays can occur are as follows:

  • Healthcare;
  • The police;
  • The catering industry;
  • The fire brigade;
  • Industry (when a production process cannot be interrupted). 

As an employee you are entitled to at least 13 free Sundays per year. A lower number may be stated in your collective labor agreement, employment contract or company regulations, but this only applies if you have agreed to this.