The University of Twente has a new Continuous Redundancy Plan (Doorlopend Sociaal Plan, in Dutch). The plan, which runs until 31 December 2024, was drawn up in close consultation with the representative body Overlegorgaan Personeel Universiteit Twente (OPUT). This body is composed of representatives of the unions FNV Overheid, CNV Overheid, AC-FBZ and Algemene Onderwijsbond. In the Local Consultation, agreements are made between the Executive Board and OPUT on various topics concerning employment conditions, including the redundancy plan.
The Continuous Redundancy Plan aims to minimise the adverse consequences for employees of future changes in the UT organisation. This involves employment, legal status and terms and conditions of employment. It is additional to the agreements already included in the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch universities
Updating the plan was necessary because the old one expired. Moreover, legislation around working at universities has changed, as a result of the Standardisation of Legal Status of Civil Servants Act (Wnra).
"We find it incredibly important to be a good employer," said Machteld Roos, vice president of the UT Executive Board. "The world, and our organisation too, is in a state of flux. This requires two things: contributing to the sustainable employability of employees and providing support and transparency about the process when organisational change is necessary."
UT expects employees to invest in themselves too, and encourages this by creating a climate in which employees are encouraged and challenged to continue developing their qualities and talents. This enables employees to respond to changes within the organisation, the labour market and their careers in a timely manner. Facilities such as training, coaching and education can help. Greater attention to strategic personnel planning and the development of opportunities for work-to-work counselling for situations where this is desired also contribute to offering a pleasant place to work.
The full Continuous Redundancy Plan can be read via the link below, and is also available via the Service Portal in both English and Dutch.
