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A work contract must be signed between the employee and the employer at the latest the first days of work. A work terms and conditions agreement must be given, showing the working hours, the notice period, redundancy motivations, the duration of paid leave (minimum is 20 days, after only a full year working, as in France and in the US)...etc.

The normal working hours quota for the week is 38 (Law - 01/01/2003).

When there is a termination of the contract notice must be given. Usually it must be given by recorded letter. The notice starts the first day of the month that follows the period when it has been given, and its duration depends on the salary and how long the employee worked for the company.

For more information on work contract and labour organisation you can visit the FPS (Federal Public Service) website: Employment, Work and Social dialogue.

Beside paid leave, there are 10 bank holidays:

• 1st January;
• Easter Monday;
• 1st May (labour day) ;
• Ascension Day;
• Whit Monday;
• 21st July (National day) ;
• 15th August(Assomption Day) ;
• 1st November ;
• 11th November (Armistice) ;
• 25th December (Christmas)

If the bank holiday is on Sunday or a day off for the company (often Saturday), it is postponed to the following working day.