This publication deals with legal and practical information on the hiring and firing of employees, terms and conditions of employment, workplace issues and the rights of Dutch and European works councils. The text was written by two partners of Allen and Overy who have long experience in counselling Dutch and foreign clients with regard to Dutch labour law and co-determination. It offers practical guidance to business executives, corporate counsel and others who have to deal with these issues. Obviously, in an industrialised and highly developed West-European country like the Netherlands, employment law is of importance for many business decisions. What is even more important is understanding the impact that works councils may have on the process of making business decisions and the implementation thereof.