The short answer
For on-call work, the ordinary call period is at least four days. A CAO can shorten this, subject to the legal minimum.
The timestamp can determine your next step
If a shift is called too late, you generally do not have to accept it under these rules. If the employer cancels or changes a call within the applicable period, the original called hours can remain payable.
Record the original call as well as the change
Save the initial written or electronic call, the change message and the actual work performed. A scheduling app may replace the old shift, so take a dated copy. Ask payroll to separate worked hours from cancelled hours that should still be paid. Agency contracts, seasonal exceptions and the exact CAO need checking before applying one rule to everyone.
What to do next
- Find the contractual and CAO call period.
- Save the original shift and change with timestamps.
- Request a written pay correction if payable called hours were omitted.
You are called for an eight-hour Friday shift and it is cancelled on Thursday. If the ordinary four-day rule applies, ask payroll about payment for the original call rather than accepting zero hours without explanation.
Questions people ask
Is the call period always four days?
Four days is the ordinary rule, but a CAO can shorten it within legal limits. Check the agreement that actually applies.
Can I refuse a late call?
Under the ordinary on-call rules, a call inside the applicable notice period generally need not be accepted. Check any relevant exceptions.
What if the employer changes only the starting time?
A change inside the applicable period can still preserve pay for the original call. Keep both versions of the schedule.
What evidence should I save?
The initial call, cancellation or change, timestamps, contract, CAO reference and payslip for the period.
Does a phone call leave enough evidence?
Write a dated confirmation afterward and ask the employer to confirm it. Written records make the timing and agreed hours easier to establish.
Sources
Last verified: 4 October 2026. Sources are in Dutch or English.