The Netherlands is on its way to become one of the first countries to grant remote working flexibility by law.
On Tuesday, the Dutch parliament approved legislation to establish work-from-home as a legal right. It still needs a nod from the Dutch senate before its final adoption.
This new legislation would force employers to consider employees’ requests to work from home and to provide a reason if they choose to deny any requests.
“For employers, this is also a good law. Because a happy employee is a happy employer,” the bill’s co-author Steven van Weyenberg said.
Congresswoman Senna Maatoug called the bill an “important step” for workers, The Wall Street Journal reported. “It allows them to find a better work-life balance and reduce time spent on commuting.”