People Policies
How we work together
Days off / holiday
Employees, including interns, are entitled to the equivalent of 24 days off per year. Public holidays, as stated by the government, are additional days off and do not count against your annual leave.
Please plan and discuss your leave in advance to ensure smooth operations. All days off, including holidays, must be discussed and confirmed via email. Send your holiday requests to admin@vouw.com. While you can discuss your holiday plans with management, formal approval must always be obtained through email confirmation.
Calling in sick/better
If you’re feeling unwell, inform the team immediately through the group app, including an estimate of when you might return. Keep the team updated if your recovery takes longer than expected. Stay home until you are fully recovered and ready to return to work. Notify the team through the group app when you are back and ready to resume work.
Work-from-home policy
In general, we expect everyone to work at the studio. However, if you have a specific task that can be done from home, and there are no immediate tasks at the studio requiring your presence, working from home can be an option. Always ask for approval before working from home. We trust our team members to work hard independently and take responsibility for completing their tasks.
Parental leave
If you require parental leave, we will accommodate your needs to the best of our ability in accordance with Dutch law. Details can be discussed directly with management. You can read more about Dutch law here.
Performance reviews
We conduct an initial meeting when you start to discuss your goals. Every one to two months, we hold reflection meetings to review progress and address any concerns. These meetings are an opportunity to check in on how things are going and discuss anything on your mind without the distraction of day-to-day tasks.
Conflict resolution
This is a place where you should feel free to communicate openly about anything. It’s important not to let frustrations build up. If you have an issue with someone or something, address it directly with the person involved and try to resolve it promptly—don’t sit on it. We believe that bad news should travel fast. If addressing the issue directly feels too daunting, you can bring it up during a reflection meeting, or request a meeting specifically to discuss the matter.
Emergency contacts
Please provide your emergency contact information during your first week. This information will be kept confidential and used only in case of an emergency to ensure your safety and well-being.
Confidentiality (NDA)
During your work at VOUW, all information you receive or use is considered confidential, including business, technical, and financial data. You are obligated to keep all confidential information secret and may only use it for the purposes of your internship. Disclosure to third parties is not allowed without prior consent. This obligation remains in effect during your internship and for five years after it ends. In case of a breach, VOUW may take legal action, including seeking damages and injunctions.
Intellectual Property (IP)
Any work you create during your internship at VOUW will be considered part of VOUW’s intellectual property. This includes designs, concepts, and any other creative outputs. If you would like to showcase or use the work you’ve done at VOUW for personal or professional purposes, please seek approval first.
Dress code
Our dress code is casual, but keep in mind that you may be working with tools or equipment, so wear clothing that is practical and safe. On days when we host events at the studio, it’s encouraged to wear something a bit more festive.
Payment
Please send us your bank account details during your first week. You’ll receive your money at the end of each month. If you haven’t received it by then, it’s likely that we overlooked it. Payments sometimes come a bit later, but don’t hesitate to remind us if there’s any delay.
Travel Costs
If you require train travel to get to the studio and do not have a student card for public transport, we can pay back costs of an monthly Altijd Vrij subscription for your commute if necessary. However, we encourage exploring other transportation options first due to the associated costs.