A clear majority in the Dutch senate supports plans to allow workers more flexible working hours and to spend more time working from home.

The new legislation will allow workers to submit a plan to change their working regime, which employers will only be able to turn down if they can prove the quality of work will suffer.

The legislation was debated in the senate on Tuesday night and has the support of most parties, the Volkskrant reports on Wednesday. The formal vote will be taken next week.

The new legislation not only allows workers to request more flexible working times, but will also allow them to reduce or extend their hours after six months.

Rights

Employers are opposed to the draft legislation, saying workers currently have rights to work from home and to change their hours.

However, Leiden University professor Barend Barentsen told the Volkskrant the law is largely symbolic. ‘Earlier legislation on working hours did not have a dramatic effect,’ he said. ‘That won’t happen this time round either. But it will make it possible to discuss things.’

Amsterdam law professor Evert Verhulp also says the impact of the law will be low. ‘Employers are pragmatic people,’ he said. ‘If people want to work from home and it is possible to do so, they will allow it. Just as they do now.’