Unemployment benefit
If you become unemployed, you may be entitled to unemployment benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW). To apply, you must submit a request to the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency). The expiry of a temporary contract is also considered a form of dismissal. To qualify for WW benefits, you must meet the following requirements:
- Loss of working hours: You must lose at least five hours of work per week, and you no longer receive a salary for those hours. Even if you only lose part of your job, you may still qualify for WW benefits. Overtime or temporarily extra hours also count. Note: if you immediately start a new job with the same or more hours after becoming unemployed, you cannot receive WW benefits to supplement your income, even if your new job pays less.
- Availability for work: You must be immediately available for paid employment. This means you cannot commit to unpaid activities that would prevent you from starting a new job right away.
- Sufficient work history: You must have worked at least 26 weeks in the 36 weeks before becoming unemployed. If you were ill, on maternity leave, or on unpaid leave, an earlier period is considered in which you worked at least 26 weeks.
- No fault of your own: You must not have become unemployed through your own fault.
The amount of your benefit is calculated as follows: from the salary you earned in the year prior to unemployment, a daily wage is determined. This amount, multiplied by 21.75, gives your monthly WW benefit. For the first two months of unemployment, you receive 75% of this monthly benefit. After that, the amount is reduced to 70%.
Are you currently experiencing issues during your PhD that you need help with?
Most institutions have a number of contact points for help. This compass is designed to help you find the right support.
In the drop-down menu you can select the institution that you are doing your PhD at. Then the roadmap will show you available contact points. In most cases it makes sense to start by considering contact points in your immediate work environment first and then progress to higher levels (like institutional or national).
At the bottom of the page you can find some examples of problems you can run into and a list of descriptions of each contact point.
Your first contact points
Colleagues: Sometimes it can already help to talk with your colleagues about the issue you are experiencing. This will help you judge the severity of it and can provide you with allies in taking further action.
Daily supervisor*: Naturally, your daily supervisor is the first contact point for all issues. They can help you determine the next steps. Of course, you may not feel comfortable discussing everything with your supervisor, or maybe your daily supervisor is involved in the issue. In these cases have a look at the other available contact points.
Promotor or Co-Supervisor*: Especially, in cases of issues with your daily supervisor, consider reaching out to your promotor or another member on the supervision team and ask for a one-on-one meeting. Maybe they can (temporarily) step-up and help you resolve the issue.If you have a conflict with your supervisor(s), you can also have a look at the PNN PhD supervisor conflict roadmap.
*Note that your annual review talk with your supervisory team is a good opportunity to address issues or suggestions for improvement.
National contact points
Labor unions: Organizations representing the interests of academic staff, offering support on employment-related matters, rights, and fair treatment.
NWO Scientific Integrity Desk: A specialized desk addressing scientific integrity concerns in projects related to or funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
Netherlands Board of Research Integrity (LOWI): An independent body handling complaints related to scientific integrity, providing a platform for fair investigation. If you feel like the local scientific integrity committee at your institution did not handle a case correctly, the LOWI can be the next contact point.
Making a police report: In cases involving a criminal offense, please consider contacting local law enforcement to report incidents and seek assistance.