The Most Expensive HR Mistake of 2026? Ignoring the NBBU Update.

The NBBU CAO sets the rules for flexible work in the Netherlands: contract phases, pay, rights, hiring responsibilities, transparency, and compliance. It’s the framework that ensures fair and legal employment of flexible workers.

But in 2026, the NBBU CAO will become stricter, clearer, and far less forgiving for organisations that haven’t adjusted their processes.

Here’s what’s at stake if you fall behind:

• Incorrect contract structures that expose you to penalties
• Non-compliant onboarding and documentation
• Greater risk during SNCU inspections
• Higher costs due to misinterpreted rules
• Forced last-minute changes that disrupt projects
• Damaged relationships with flexible workers
• Unexpected liabilities that roll directly into HR budgets

Many organisations assume they’ll adapt once the reforms arrive. In reality, by then it’s too late.

The reforms focus on giving flexible workers more stability and more protection. While this is positive for talent, it means employers and agencies will face stricter obligations and less room for error.

Some of the changes include:

Stricter contract limits
Outdated contract setups will no longer pass under the new rules.

Greater transparency requirements
If information isn’t given clearly, timely, and correctly, you could be held accountable.

Tighter regulations on employment phases
This affects how long you can keep workers in flexible roles and when they transition.

More compliance oversight and inspections
Meaning every contract, every process, and every decision must be clean.

Higher expectations for agencies and MSP programs
And any mistakes they make can fall back on you.

Most HR teams are still unsure:

• What exactly is changing?
• What must be updated before January?
• Which processes carry the highest risk?
• Which documents need to be redesigned?
• How do we protect our organisation from penalties?
• What are other companies already changing?

To stop these issues before they become expensive mistakes, Panda International is hosting an NBBU webinar designed specifically for life sciences organisations.

This session is a practical breakdown of the 2026 reforms, delivered by experts who are already advising organisations on what needs to change.

Your One Chance to Get Ahead of the 2026 Compliance Pressure

You’ll hear directly from Nettie Alkema, labour law specialist and expert on NBBU regulations and Merel van Os, Partner & MSP Head at Panda International. Together, they’ll walk you through:

• The exact NBBU changes you need to prepare for
• The areas where most organisations will fail if they don’t act now
• How the reforms will affect your contractors and flexible workers
• What needs to change in your contracts, documentation, and workflows
• The urgent steps to take in 2024–2025 to avoid penalties in 2026
• How to protect your organisation from compliance risks
• The common misconceptions HR teams are currently making

This is also your chance to ask questions directly in a live Q&A, so you walk away with clarity, not assumptions. Seats are limited to ensure a smooth Q&A experience for participants.

If your organisation wants to avoid compliance risks, financial surprises, and last-minute scrambling in 2026, you need to be there.

👉 Spots are limited - sign up here!