Employment, Benefits and Pensions

By the very nature of this area of law, matters can be sensitive, urgent and, at times, both. In response, we act promptly and decisively, providing strategic, tailored advice to our clients and representing them in litigation, disputes and transactions.

Within a broad spectrum of expertise, we focus in particular on complex strategic board-level employment law issues, such as restructuring, compensation packages, advisory work on strategic HR decisions, as well as litigation, contract drafting, collective bargaining agreements or any other customised documentation. Our multidisciplinary team also guides national and international clients through all legal aspects of pensions, social security laws, and AI-related HR issues.

Office building in Amsterdam
Matter
NL Law

Unequal pay in the judiciary: Stibbe advises Bureau Clara Wichmann

The current remuneration policy within the judiciary has resulted in a gender pay gap.

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Cropped close-up of a pharmacy's green cross sign
Matter
BE Law

Stibbe advises Goed

A multidisciplinary Stibbe team advised Goed and its shareholders on its binding agreement with Mulitpharma relating to the sale of Goed’s pharmaceutical retail and wholesale business.

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Highway traffic
Matter
BE Law

Stibbe advises GRW on the acquisition of Van Hool’s industrial vehicle division

Stibbe advised GRW, the South African tanker and trailer manufacturer allied with Schmitz Cargobull, on acquiring the industrial vehicle division of Van Hool, following the latter’s declaration of bankruptcy.

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Motherboard
Matter
LU Law

Stibbe assists Uchida Yoko Co with the acquisition of Open Assessment Technologies

Stibbe assisted Uchida Yoko Co., Ltd., with the acquisition of 100% of Open Assessment Technologies S.A. (OAT™).

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Services

Our practice covers the full range of individual and collective employment law services, such as the negotiating and drafting of employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements, as well as compensation and benefits schemes, and restructurings (including collective dismissals with or without closure), transfer of undertaking, outsourcing, and pensions.

Litigation on various employment and pension issues is an integral component of our work. We have been involved in many litigation cases against trade unions, employees, and executives acting in groups or individually. Given the many changes in the labour legislation in general and in pension matters in particular, we have represented several clients in creating new case law and thus achieving their business objectives. Our litigation expertise encompasses some of the highest profile cases to come to court in the Benelux – right up to board-level matters.

We handle all aspects of compensation topics, including executive remuneration cases, and complex corporate governance issues and supervisory board support, ensuring executive compensation and incentive schemes are strictly compliant with changing applicable laws and market practice.

For employers, pension funds and insurers, we draft and amend pension regulations and advise on their day-to-day pension activities and strategic projects. We also manage the pension aspects of acquisitions and divestments of businesses, outsourcing, collective dismissals, corporate transactions, severance packages, and golden handshakes. Furthermore, we advise pension funds on their structure, corporate governance rules and directors' liability, and we assist them in discussions or negotiations with the relevant regulators.

We also assist clients in the context of international secondments, as well as in complex investigations by the authorities about specific practices, i.e. at a pre-litigation stage.

The size of our team enables us to deal with large, complex and time-intensive matters, often involving cross-border issues, in all areas of labour and employment law. We also frequently advise on matters that lie between employment law and public, tax and (Belgian) sports law.

We are always one step ahead of legal developments and are at the forefront of new areas of labour and employment law. We have excellent contacts with trade unions and supervising authorities.

As strategic employment law and pension matters entail legal aspects beyond traditional employment law, we regularly work in close partnership with our regulatory, tax, corporate, public law and litigation specialists.

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Recognition & Awards

"Stibbe have shown great strategic thinking on complex unprecedented matters. They are very responsive, quick and a complete team."

Chambers Europe
2024
Employment

"Stibbe has a very strong employment law team. The team is able to provide top-notch advice in the most complex situations. They give practical advice while keeping the strategic rationale in mind. They are very punctual and are always available for questions."

The Legal 500
2024
Employment

"I am deeply impressed by Stibbe‘s employment team. They have top-notch lawyers who are able to handle all kind of complex matters in a very diligent but still pragmatic way. It is my go-to firm."

The Legal 500
2024
Employment

"Stibbe's team are analytical, quickly getting to the heart of the matter, and understand the sensitivity of the cases."

Chambers Europe
2024
Employment

"Stibbe is known for providing clients with tailored advice in a timely manner. The team focuses on complex strategic board-level employment law issues, which also include AI-related HR matters. Stibbe offers assistance to clients on their way to becoming more sustainable or more ESG-oriented."

The Legal 500
2024
Employment

"The team is very reliable and demonstrates a high level of expertise and a pragmatic approach that clients truly appreciate."

The Legal 500
2024
Employment

"They provide accurate advice on complex matters."

Chambers Europe
2024
Employment

"The team at Stibbe is very easily accessible. They have sufficient junior capacity in addition to partners and senior counsel, and deliverables are always on time."

Chambers Europe
2024
Employment