Trial placement unemployed or people partially fit for work

Are you an employer in the Netherlands and do you want to hire someone who is unemployed or partially fit for work? If you are not sure this person is suitable for the job, you can offer them an unpaid 2 month trial placement (proefplaatsing). You can make use of a job coach.

During the trial placement period, the intended employees keep their unemployment benefit. If you are satisfied with their performance during this period, you offer these people an employment contract at the end of the trial period. This employment contract cannot include another trial period. The Employee Insurance Agency (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen, UWV) must agree to the trial placement.

Conditions for a trial placement

• The prospective employee must already receive benefit from UWV (WAO, WIA, WAZ, Wajong or Sickness (Ziektewet) or unemployment benefit (WW or IOW).
• UWV has determined that the unemployed or partially fit for work person has limited prospects on the labour market or has trouble securing a job without help
• The prospective employee has not previously worked for you in the same role.
• You must take out liability insurance for the employee for the duration of the trial placement.
• You must have the intention to offer the prospective employee a position for at least 6 months after the trial placement. 

There are also some limitations to trial placements:

• Employees in the education sector who receive unemployment benefit must request permission from UWV before they can accept a trial placement.
• Trial placements are not possible in the transport sector. Because a trial is not a recognised employment, drivers cannot get a declaration of employment. They need this to be able to work.

How to apply?

You and the intended employee can request a trial placement from UWV (in Dutch). If, however, you think the standard 2 months period for a particular position is too short, you can indicate this on your application form, while explaining the reason for an extended assessment period.

Longer trial placement

Do you need more than 2 months to see if the intended employee would be able to meet the job requirements? In some cases you can apply for an extended trial placement period, up to 6 months. For instance if the employee can only work 1 day per week because of their handicap. You can apply for a longer trial placement in the regular application form.