Booking.com sues works council over office mandate

Travel platform Booking.com has taken its works council to an Amsterdam court over a dispute concerning mandatory office attendance.

Driving the news: Booking.com wants roughly 7,000 employees at its Amsterdam headquarters to work from the office three days each week, but the works council refused to agree to the change.

The context: Under the Wet op de ondernemingsraden (Works Councils Act), remote working arrangements fall under workplace conditions. Because working conditions at the office differ from those at home, employers must secure formal consent from the council before changing mandatory in-person days.

The company perspective: A company spokesperson stated that rising competition from industry peers and artificial intelligence requires colleagues to meet in person and collaborate more intentionally. Booking.com argued that scattered attendance damages team spirit, though it noted it still wants to maintain flexibility for employees.

What is next: The court reviews the case on Tuesday to determine if the attendance mandate is reasonable, with a judgment expected in three weeks.

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