Laura Gringhuis

Laura Gringhuis

Associate | Attorney at law

Employment & Employee Participation

Laura Gringhuis mainly advises employers on employment law matters relevant to human resources. Her practice also includes social security law and employment participation. In addition to this, Laura provides employment law workshops and webinars for HR, and trains works councils and directors on the Works Councils Act (WOR). Laura is an enthusiastic, dedicated and approachable attorney with a down-to-earth and empathic approach.

‘Employment law is a varied field that is continually evolving and extremely challenging, both in practice and at the academic level. And that’s why it suits me down to the ground. Being able to help people make progress is a source of energy for me. Keeping the bigger picture in focus helps me to advise clients on the most effective solution.’

Education

  • Professional Law School (2019-2022)
  • University of Groningen, Master’s in Dutch Law, specialising in Employment Law, Corporate Law and Criminal Law (2014-2016)
  • University of Groningen, Bachelor of Law (2010-2014)

Career

Laura’s introduction to the legal profession came during her studies, through her part-time job at a law firm in Groningen. She also provided legal advice at a legal advice centre. After completing her studies, Laura focused principally on employment law, working in this field at a law firm in Utrecht for almost five years. She joined De Clercq in May 2022.

Laura's daily practice

On a daily basis, Laura primarily advises employers on employment law matters such as individual dismissal, unsatisfactory performance and terms and conditions of employment (including changes to these). Laura also specialises in assisting employees who are incapacitated for work, providing advice on reintegration obligations, partial or full termination of employment due to long-term disability, and social security law as it relates to benefits under the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA) and wage sanctions. Finally, employment participation is also part of her practice. She advises and guides works councils and directors in a wide range of processes and collaborations.

Selected cases

Summary dismissal

Providing advice and guidance to an employer in handling and settling a summary dismissal.

Early IVA benefit

I conducted an appeal on behalf of an employer against the rejection by the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) of an early benefit under the Fully Disabled Persons Income Scheme (IVA). As a result, the IVA benefit was approved retroactively, saving the employer a considerable amount in costs.

Guidance in reintegration process

I guide employers in reintegration processes, on the one hand to ensure that they satisfy all of the legal obligations and avoid wage sanctions, and on the other to enable employees to return to work as soon as possible.

Hybrid work scheme

Advising and guiding works councils on establishing a Hybrid Work scheme.

Occupational health and safety policy

Advising and guiding works councils in their role with respect to establishing and developing an occupational health and safety policy, including hazard identification and risk assessment (RI&E) and appointing prevention officers.

Stay up to date

The latest developments

Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

The Cybersecurity Act has entered into force: Works Councils, play your part!

20 August 2026

Cyberattacks targeting hospitals, municipalities, critical infrastructure and other public service providers are no longer exceptional. Organisations therefore need to strengthen their resilience against digital threats. On 15 August 2026, the Cybersecurity Act (Cyberbeveiligingswet, Cbw) entered into force. With this Act, the Netherlands implements the European NIS2 Directive. The aim of the Cbw is to require organisations to take their digital resilience seriously and ensure that it is properly addressed. For management boards, this is primarily a compliance issue. However, a closer look at what these obligations mean in practice shows that the works council also has an important role to play.

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Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

Changing a work-from-home policy? Don't forget the works council!

13 August 2026

ABN AMRO made headlines this week in the Financieele Dagblad. The bank wants employees to work from the office more frequently and is currently negotiating this with the trade unions. ABN AMRO is not alone in this – a broader trend is emerging across Dutch businesses. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has become the new normal. But the tide is turning. An increasing number of companies want employees to spend more time in the office again. Reasons cited include higher productivity, stronger connections with colleagues, greater creativity and a better work-life balance. This may sound logical. However, changing a work-from-home policy is more than simply a management decision.

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Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

Reorganising Despite Negative Works Council Advice: How Far Does Management Discretion Extend?

24 July 2026

A management board decides to implement a reorganisation, despite the works council (OR) having issued a negative opinion. The management board nevertheless intends to proceed with the decision. How far does its discretion to organise the company extend? A recent decision by the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal (OK) shows that this discretion is broad, provided that the management board follows the employee participation process carefully and provides a sound justification for its decision.

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