A Dictionary of Dutchness

ATV

ATV stands for arbeidstijdverkorting and literally means a cut in working hours. However, what ATV amounts to in practice is an extra day’s holiday a month. People who are officially employed for a 36 or 38 hour week often actually work 40 hours. They then compensate for the overtime by taking an extra day off, giving them 11 or 12 extra days vacation days a year. Schools are often closed on certain days when teachers collectively take their ATV, much to parents' irritation.