Do you get a day off for moving?

You are ready for a new start and you are moving. Then you may wonder whether you are entitled to a day off to arrange everything properly. In the Netherlands, there are no strict legal rules for moving leave. However, many collective labor agreements and employment contracts do contain something about special leave or days off. We at Moving are happy to explain to you how this works and how you can make your move as smooth as possible. In this blog post, you can read all about moving leave, days off when moving and useful ways to request leave.

What is special leave and when are you entitled to it?

When am I entitled to special leave?

Special leave is a scheme that allows you to take time off outside of your regular vacation days for specific circumstances. This could include a family member getting married, a death, or a public holiday that does not fall under standard vacations. Some collective labor agreements explicitly state that you can get leave when you move. However, this is not the case with every employer. Therefore, read your collective labor agreement or employment contract carefully. This way, you will find out whether you are entitled to special leave days for your move.

How many days off are agreed upon in the collective labor agreement?

Many companies include special leave agreements in their collective labor agreements. Some collective labor agreements offer 2 days of special leave per year when you move. Other collective labor agreements do not include a paragraph about this. Therefore, speak to your employer in good time and ask whether your collective labor agreement provides for the move. Is it not mentioned anywhere? Then there is a chance that you can still arrange something via unpaid leave or by taking a few vacation days. If you indicate this in good time, your employer may simply agree to this and it does not have to be legally arranged at all.

Are you entitled to leave when you move?

Not every move automatically entitles you to leave. Sometimes you only qualify if you officially change address and you can prove this with a rental or purchase contract. It is better to bring this evidence with you when you talk to your employer or HR department. It helps them understand why you need these days off. To take leave, it is wise to do this in good time. Do you want days off for a move? Then arrange this with your employer in good time.

How many days off do you get when you move?

Days off when moving. One or two days?

Many people get 1 or 2 days of special leave to move. This varies by sector and by collective labor agreement. In some organizations, you can combine these days with your vacation days if you want to spread a move over multiple dates. You have a lot of freedom in this. In other companies, they offer nothing, so you have to use your vacation days yourself if you need extra time to move.

If your collective labor agreement does not include any provisions regarding leave for a move

If your collective labor agreement does not mention days off for the move, then you do not have an official right to leave. So is it not included in the collective labor agreement? Your employer is then not obliged to give you leave for a move. Do you want to know whether you are entitled or do you simply want to ask your boss for days off for the move? In that case, you can consult with your manager to find a practical solution. You may sometimes request unpaid leave. You can also reschedule parts of your work. Perhaps you can temporarily adjust your schedule and still take some days off.

Moving during the weekend and moving leave

Some people plan their move in the weekend because they don’t want to take leave during the week. That sounds smart, but it’s not always cheaper. Removal companies often charge a weekend surcharge. Sometimes they are even booked up faster in the weekend, because many people want to move on Saturday or Sunday. That can complicate your plans.

How do you request a day off for moving?

Check your collective labor agreement regarding leave when moving

Read the passages about special leave. Check whether the right to leave for a move is explicitly mentioned. If your collective labor agreement states something about leave for the move, it usually concerns two days per year that you are entitled to. This is also called two days of special leave. If you use these days, you will not be limited to your days off and you can still take your vacation days later! 

Please check your employment contract regarding leave days

Sometimes there are additional agreements that you will not find in the collective labor agreement. Do you want to take special leave and do you want to know if you are entitled to days off? Then check carefully whether you are entitled to special leave. Is this not the case? Then your employer is not obliged to give you days off that you could use for your move.

Applying for special leave? Make an appointment with your employer.

Explain why you want to take leave. Explain what exactly you need. Look carefully at when the move will take place. This way you can take enough days off for your move. Are you only entitled to 2 days off when moving? Then you can of course take extra vacation days for your move. 

Add evidence of your move

Show your purchase contract or rental agreement. This shows that you are really moving. Do you want to take time off for the move? Always check in advance whether you are entitled to days off. Then you can take these for a move. 

Taking leave? Submit your request early.

The sooner you do it, the sooner you will hear whether you will receive permission. When moving, you often know when you are going to move and you can therefore look in advance at how many days you need for the move. In the Netherlands, you often have 2 days off for moving.

No right to days off?

Are you not entitled to moving leave via the collective labor agreement? Then you can propose to take unpaid leave. You can possibly use vacation days if you want to divide your move well. A combination of both can also be useful. Always explain your situation with special leave to your employer. He/she may be able to take a number of days off into account. Do you want information about special leave? Then check your collective labor agreement. 

What if you are not entitled to a day off when moving?

1. Use your vacation days for leave during a move

If you cannot take special leave, you can always use regular vacation days. Do you have an upcoming move? Then try to move during the weekend. That way you have days off, but you do not have to take extra vacation days so that you still have enough days to go on vacation. 

2. Try unpaid leave and choose days off for the move

Consult with your manager and see if a few unpaid days are possible. Is this not stipulated in the collective labor agreement? Then it is best to consult with your employer. In most cases, you will eventually get days off when you want to move. Even if this is not covered by a collective labor agreement.

3. Ask for flexible working hours instead of leave when moving

Maybe you can start a little earlier and finish earlier, so that you have time to arrange moving boxes. That way you have the right to move faster, right? Even though your situation does not fall under special leave.. you can always change shifts for a maximum of two days.

4. No right to leave during the move? Swap shifts!

In sectors with irregular schedules, colleagues sometimes swap shifts so that someone else takes over your evening shift. You can then continue packing. Your employer is not legally obliged to give you time off, but can of course always take into account the number of moving days you need. 

Benefits of Taking a Day Off to Move

• You have less stress. An extra day off allows you to pack and carry things in peace.
• You keep your work-life balance in balance. You don't have to completely throw your work schedule out of whack.
• You limit unnecessary costs, because you have the time to organize your move efficiently.
• You can immediately furnish your new home and that will give you peace of mind.

Case study: how many days to move?

Sandra works at a large healthcare institution. Her collective labor agreement gave her the right to 2 days of special leave for a move. However, she wanted to use three days to get everything in order. She combined those two days with one day of vacation. She spent the first day setting up her new house. The second day she arranged the furniture and waited for the mechanics. The third day she spent on the official transfer of her old house. Sandra got it done without stress and went back to work refreshed on Monday.

Frequently asked questions about special leave

Are you moving? Moving is here to help!

At Moving, we know how stressful a move can be. You want the move to go as smoothly as possible and preferably without unnecessary stress. That is why you can request free quotes from us. You will then quickly receive an overview of different moving companies, making it easy to compare. This saves you time and you can arrange your move in a way that suits you. We work with experienced movers and we are happy to advise you on the best approach.

Checklists and summary

Checklist: How to request a day off when moving

1. Check your collective labor agreement to see if you are entitled to leave during a move.
2. Check your employment contract for additional agreements.
3. Request your leave well in advance.
4. Substantiate your request with a purchase or rental contract.
5. Check whether you can use unpaid leave or vacation days if you are not entitled to moving leave.

Checklist for a smooth move

1. Plan well ahead. Allow enough time for packing.
2. Contact moving companies. Ask for quotes and compare prices.
3. Inform authorities. Report your change of address to the municipality, bank and insurers.
4. Arrange your utilities. Think of water, electricity and internet.
5. Get help. Friends, family or professionals can take a lot of work off your hands.

Mainly dependent on the collective labor agreement

We hope that you now know exactly what is involved in taking leave when you are moving. You often discover more possibilities than you think in advance, especially if you approach the right people at work. Do you still have questions or tips? Share this article with friends or family members who want to arrange extra days off for their move.

Moving is happy to help you

Find out if you are entitled to a day off when you move. Read more about special leave, how many days off you can take, and practical tips for a stress-free moving day. Request free quotes from Moving now!

We hope this article helps you plan your move well and realize it without worries. We at Moving wish you much success with packing and unpacking.