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Employment terms mee...

Employment terms meeting: everything you need to know

24 June 2022

Congratulations! You’ve passed the job interview and landed a new job. Now it’s time for the employment terms meeting with your new employer. This is where you’ll discuss your salary, benefits, and other employment conditions before signing your contract. In this blog, we’ll explain what to expect, how to prepare, and which terms you can negotiate.

What is an employment terms meeting?

Before you officially start your new job, you’ll sit down with your employer to agree on your primary and secondary employment conditions, and sometimes even tertiary benefits. These may include your salary, contract type, number of working hours, travel expenses, and more. All agreements are recorded in your employment contract.

Types of employment conditions

Employment conditions can be divided into four categories:

Primary employment conditions

These are the essentials of your contract:

  • Job title and responsibilities

  • Salary

  • Working hours

  • Statutory holiday allowance

Secondary employment conditions

Additional benefits on top of the basics, such as:

  • Travel allowance

  • 13th-month bonus or year-end bonus

  • Expense reimbursements

  • Shift allowances

  • Pension scheme

  • Overtime pay

  • Profit sharing

  • Vacation days and leave policies

  • Training or education

  • Remote work opportunities

  • Company car, phone, or laptop

  • Childcare

  • Flexible working hours

Tertiary employment conditions

These focus on your well-being at work:

  • Pleasant and safe work environment

  • Company outings

  • Canteen facilities

  • Fresh fruit at work

  • Holiday gifts or birthday presents

  • Sports and fitness options

Quartary employment conditions

These are less tangible but very important:

  • Positive work atmosphere

  • Career development opportunities

Tips for your employment terms meeting

1. Prepare well

Preparation is key. Review the vacancy or collective labor agreement (CAO) to see what benefits are offered and make a list of what’s most important to you.

2. Listen carefully

Pay close attention to what your employer offers. Ask questions, clarify details, and explain calmly what you’d like to see included. Remember: this is not a battle but a conversation.

3. Explain your wishes

Always explain why certain terms are beneficial for both you and your employer. For example, why a company car makes sense for your role, or why overtime pay motivates you.

4. Don’t forget to negotiate

There’s usually room to negotiate. Don’t accept the first offer without discussion, but also be realistic and flexible.

The employment contract

Once you and your employer reach an agreement, everything is put in writing in your employment contract. Be sure to read it carefully so all terms are correctly included. Want to know more about what’s in an employment contract? Check out our blog about employment contract: what's included?

Employment terms meeting - Dujob

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