Diversity and inclusivity at work
Diversity in the workplace is good for your employees and for your company. You also make better use of opportunities and talents in the tight labour market. Find out what you can do to recruit a more diverse workforce. And which subsidies are available to be more inclusive as a business.
What is diversity and inclusivity?
Diversity is about the differences between people. Such as gender, age, language, skin colour, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and cultural background. But also neurodiversity (where the brain processes information differently from most people).
Inclusivity is about managing these differences well. Doing business inclusively gives everyone equal opportunities to participate and contribute. For example, hiring persons who cannot find a job because they have a disability or special needs.
Equal treatment of employees
You must treat all your employees the same. You may not discriminate and must reward your employees in the same way. Ensure equal treatment during the application process. For example, you should not put in a job posting that you are looking for a woman.
Laws on diversity and inclusivity
There are several laws to encourage diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
The Participation Act is intended to give people with an occupational disability or illness a better chance of finding a job. Do you employ, or do you want to employ an employee with an occupational disability? Then you can get financial support from the Employee Insurance Agency UWV or your municipality. For example, help with modifying a workplace and guidance in the workplace. Find out what benefits and schemes are available to employers (in Dutch).
Do you employ more than 25 employees? Then the job agreement (banenafspraak) applies. You must hire people with an occupational disability. Smaller businesses may do so voluntarily. Learn more about how to get in contact with potential employees covered by the job agreement (in Dutch).
Read more about the Participation Act and the job agreement.
Listed companies are obliged to ensure a more balanced representation of men and women in top positions. For example, at least 1 in 3 members of the Supervisory Board (Raad van Commisarissen, RVC) must be female. And you need to make a plan to get more women into management positions.
Read more about the amendment to the law for more women in top positions (in Dutch).
Reducing wage costs with subsidies and allowances
For certain employees, you can receive subsidies and allowances and so reduce labour costs.
- You can apply for Labour Costs Compensation (Loonkostenvoordeel, LKV) for hiring an employee listed in the target group register for the jobs agreement. You will receive this compensation for as long as that employee remains in your employ. Previously, the LKV was valid for a maximum of 3 years. Furthermore, a special certificate from the UWV is no longer required to receive the LKV. This makes it easier to offer work to people with a disability.
- You can apply for a labour cost subsidy through your municipality for employees who fall under the Participation Act.
- Or apply for a wage dispensation from UWV for employees with a Wajong benefit, if their productivity level is lower than other employees.
Read more about subsidies and allowances for wage costs.
Health and safety regulations for employees with specific needs
The Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) contains special rules for certain employees. For example, consider what an older employee can handle. Or adapt the workplace for an employee with a disability. Discuss together what your employee needs. This could include an adapted workplace or the option to work from home (more often).
Read more about the working conditions rules for specific employees.
Are you making changes in the workplace for a sick employee or an employee with a disability? Then you can receive compensation for this. Examples of such modifications are a stair lift, or a modified desk or toilet. Read more about subsidy for modification in the workplace.
You can also apply for a subsidy to purchase technology that helps employees with an occupational disability participate in the labour market. Examples include reading glasses, or an exoskeleton that relieves employees when performing physical work.
Find out more about subsidies for workplace adaptations.
Offer a trial placement
You can offer an unpaid trial placement to someone who is partially disabled. The potential employee will then keep their benefit but can start working for your company. Are you satisfied with the trial placement? Then you can hire the employee without a further trial period..
A condition is that you intend to offer the employee an employment contract of at least 6 months. UWV must give permission for a trial placement.
Read more about the conditions for a trial placement.
Do you have an employee with a disability or on trial placement? Then you can apply for a subsidy for an internal job coach. A job coach guides the employee and provides personal training, for example.
Read more about guidance by a job coach.
Insight into the cultural diversity in your company
Would you like to know more about the cultural diversity within your company? Statistics Netherlands (CBS) has developed the Cultural Diversity Barometer for businesses with more than 250 employees. This is to protect employees’ privacy. Various sector organisations have also drawn up codes to improve diversity and inclusion within businesses.
Read more about the Cultural Diversity Barometer.