Independent platform; we are not a government body or recruitment agency.4 October 2026
NL Worker Compass
Schoonmaak- en glazenwassersbedrijf · 2026–2028

Cleaning contract change: do you have to switch?

Another cleaning company takes over your property. Check the offer, working hours, accrued rights and your choice under article 44.

Sources checked: 3 minutes of readingSources for this explanation

This is an automatic translation of the Dutch explanation. If in doubt, check the Dutch text and the original collective labor agreement. Read this explanation in Dutch

The short answer

When a contract changes, the cleaning company that services an object changes. Article 44 protects employees at that property under certain conditions. Taking over the property does not automatically mean that your job will disappear or that you will have to sign every new contract.

When should the new company make an offer?

RAS mentions the main conditions as including a minimum of one and a half years on the object and a basic professional diploma. There are exceptions, for example for certain managers and employees who are incapacitated for work for more than six months at the time of the change. Have your situation assessed against the full collective labor agreement; The number of years with your employer alone does not indicate how long you have worked at the property in question.

Compare the offer before you sign

Request the offer on paper and compare working hours, working hours, classification and accrued collective labor agreement rights. RAS mentions a reflection period of seven working days. Not going along is a choice with consequences that you must discuss in advance. If the new employer does not have to make an offer, your existing employment contract will not automatically end: in principle you will remain with the current employer, who will have to look for other work.

This is how you check it

  1. Collect contract, date you started working on the property and your professional diploma.
  2. Compare the new offer with your old hours, working hours and collective labor agreement rights.
  3. Before making your decision, ask RAS or your trade union for help if something is missing.
Practical example

You work in the same office for two years and another cleaning company wins the contract. First check whether you should receive an offer under Article 44. A new company name on the roster does not in itself constitute a complete new employment contract.

Questions about this CAO

Should I accept the offer?

No, RAS states that you may refuse the offer. Please discuss in advance what this means for your existing employment and activities.

How much reflection time do I have?

According to the RAS explanation, you have seven working days to consider the offer. Save the receipt date.

Am I fired if I don't get a new offer?

Not automatically. The loss of an object does not automatically terminate your contract with the current employer.

What happens to my holiday hours?

In the event of a valid transfer, rules apply for the retention and transfer of rights. Ask both employers for a subsequent overview of the balance.

Sources for this explanation

Sources checked:

Original documents · PDF