Employment Law
Employment Law
The lawyers at Sparkel advise and represent both employers and senior-level employees across a broad range of employment law matters. Their expertise includes:
- dismissal and termination matters;
- remuneration and executive compensation;
- the WNT (Standards for Remuneration Act);
- non-compete and restrictive covenant clauses;
- collective labour agreements (CLAs);
- integrity and fraud investigations;
- equal treatment and discrimination matters;
- whistleblower issues;
- employer liability;
- employee participation and works council matters;
- strikes and collective actions;
- reorganizations and restructurings; reorganisaties;
- transfer of undertaking issues;
- employment law aspects of mergers and acquisitions.
De advocaten van Sparkel staan zowel werkgevers als (hooggeplaatste) werknemers bij. Zij hebben ook ervaring met het oplossen van geschillen tussen overheidswerkgevers en overheidswerknemers.
The team also has extensive experience in disputes involving public sector employers and employees.
In addition to legal representation, Sparkel supports organizations in strengthening and maintaining their internal employment law knowledge. The firm offers tailor-made presentations, workshops, and training programmes designed to meet the specific needs of each organization.
Pension Law
Sparkel advises and litigates on a broad range of pension-related matters, including disputes concerning the drafting, interpretation, and amendment of pension agreements, pension regulations, and implementation agreements.
The firm also advises on the pension law aspects of mergers and acquisitions, mandatory participation in industry-wide pension funds, and discrimination issues within pension schemes.
In addition, senior-level employees and other individuals involved in pension disputes with former employers or pension providers can seek assistance from Sparkel.
Chambers Europe recognized Ruben van Arkel as one of the leading lawyers in the Netherlands in the field of Employment: Pensions, stating: “He has a prominent pensions practice advising public bodies on issues relating to historic pensions contributions, new pension agreements and compliance with new pensions regulations.
Pension Law
Public Sector Employment Law
Public Sector Employment Law
Since 1 January 2020, most public sector employees in the Netherlands have been employed under employment contracts governed by private employment law. Certain categories of public sector employees, however, continue to work under a public law appointment, including employees of the Defence and Police services.
The lawyers at Sparkel specialize in matters involving both categories of public sector employees: those who retained their public law appointment and those employed under an employment contract.
They advise and litigate on matters including:
- dismissal and termination matters;
- remuneration and executive compensation;
- the WNT (Standards for Remuneration Act);
- collective labour agreements and public sector employment regulations;
- integrity and fraud investigations;
- equal treatment and discrimination matters;
- whistleblower issues;
- employer liability;
- strikes and collective actions;
- reorganizations and restructurings; reorganisaties;
- privatizations and de-privatizations.
Ruben van Arkel previously worked at Pels Rijcken, the firm of the Dutch State Advocate. For the past five years, he was a partner at the firm. In addition, Ruben was head of the Employment and Public Sector Employment Law practice group.”
Equal Treatment
The lawyers at Sparkel have extensive experience advising and litigating in matters relating to unequal treatment and discrimination. They support both employers and employees in preventing, resolving, and litigating workplace disputes involving equal treatment issues.
Sparkel advises on matters including:
- discrimination based on age, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation;
- unequal pay and promotion opportunities;
- integrity issues and reports of discrimination;
- drafting and assessing diversity and inclusion policies;
- proceedings before the College voor de Rechten van de Mens.
The Legal 500 wrote the following about Ruben van Arkel: “Practice head Ruben van Arkel is a noted expert in the field of equal treatment.”
Equal Treatment
’Ruben Van Arkel is singled out by interviewees for his flexibility, one asserting that he knows his client and is open to suggestions from the client. He has an impressive work portfolio on pensions matters covering both litigation and regulatory advice for public and private sector clients.‘
Chambers Europe
