The Summer 2006 Issue contains a.o. the following articles:

 

LEGAL AFFAIRS

What Rights Does a Cross-Border Employee Have?
In our time of European unification and globalization, international employment contracts are no longer the exception. However, in the case of a conflict or an impending dismissal, it might not always be clear where the employee can exercise his rights. This starts with the quest for the competent court and the applicable legislation. Often, employer and employee together determine in advance which legislation is applicable and before which court a problem will be brought. Is this choice of applicable law always legal? Sometimes it is not clear beforehand that an employment contract will develop international aspects – for instance, due to the fact that the employee is sent abroad at a later point in time. Does this have consequences for the applicable law? And before which court will a conflict have to be brought?
David Brinkman, e-mail: david.brinkman@loyensloeff.com

CULTURE

The Netherlands: A Cultural Piece of Cake?
Estimates of the number of expatriates who return early from an international assignment vary considerably, but the fact remains that international assignments are not always fail proof. Early return incurs both direct and indirect costs, such as money invested in the training of the expatriate and possible damage to the company image in the host-country. A failed assignment can cost up to one million US dollars. It can also lead to disappointment and a loss of self-esteem for the expatriate.
While most companies are aware of this problem, the best approach to minimizing this cost is yet to be found. In this context, the universities of Nijmegen and Groningen have started a new project to demonstrate that regular contact between recent arrivals and host families is not only a very cost-effective way of helping people on international assignments to better settle in their host country, but also a great way to stimulate social exchange between people of different cultures.
You can find more information at http://www.let.ru.nl/m.v.bakel , where expatriates can also register for the project, or you can contact the project coordinator: 
Marian van Bakel MA, Centre for PhD-research, Radboud University Nijmegen (m.v.bakel@let.ru.nl ). 
Companies who would like to take encourage their expatriates to take part in this project, can contact the project coordinator directly.
Marian van Bakel

LEISURE

Wuthering Weerribben
Up until recently when I thought of ‘marshes’ I would be reminded of Emily Brönte’s Catherine, lost in the marshes of Northern England. Who knew the Netherlands, known for its countless lakes and canals, is also host to 7,000 hectares of marshlands?
True, it is not surprising that in a country covered by so many cubic litres of water, wetlands would be commonplace. Not only that, in the North-Eastern Province of Overijssel happens to lay the largest Wetlands of all of Northern Europe. This vast territory of land and water, covering almost 3,500 hectares (35 square km), is known as National Park the Weerribben. In 2004, the Weerribben was actually chosen by the Dutch public as the most beautiful place in the Netherlands.
In this article, an overview of the history and background of this area as well as a few suggestions on things to do while you are there.
www.deweerribben.nl
www.npdeweerribben.nl
Naomi Bolderhey

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