European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
Eurofound's ERM database on restructuring-related legal regulations provides information on regulations in the Member States of the European Union and Norway which are explicitly or implicitly linked to anticipating and managing change.
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This law based on previous cross-sector collective agreements (n°51, 82 and 82 bis) aims at defining procedures in case of outplacement.
Outplacement is defined as a set of services and guidance counselling provided by outplacement experts (private or public companies) on behalf of the employer in order to help employees (if applicable) to find a new job with another employer as quickly as possible or to start self-employment.
These guidance services can be provided individually or in groups. Among these services, the office or company in charge of outplacement has to provide psychological support, but also to establish a personal assessment and/or assistance in developing a job search and its implementation, assistance in negotiating a new work contract, assistance during integration in the new work environment and ultimately also a logistical and administrative support. The length of the outplacement procedure is maximum 12 months with 20 hours of support during the first two months, 20 hours during the four next months (if needed) and 20 hours during the last 6 months (if needed).
The law of 10 August 2001 on work-life balance introduced the legal authority for collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) to establish end-of-career schemes and other reduced working time arrangements. On 21 October 2025, CBAs Nos. 179, 180, 181 and 182 were concluded within the National Labour Council to extend certain end-of-career exemption schemes for older workers aged 55 and above until 30 June 2029 in companies undergoing restructuring or facing difficulties and for workers performing demanding work (shift work, intermittent work and night work). The end-of-career exemption schemes may involve reduced working hours, exemption from demanding types, and special flexibility to support health and well-being.
The provision of psychological support is not explicitly defined by law. Therefore, these services are more or less developed depending on the particular situation.
Joint committees may decide to collectively support the cost of the outplacement procedure.
Eurofound (2015), Belgium: Health monitoring of workers affected by restructuring, Restructuring legislation database, Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/legislationdb/health-monitoring-of-workers-affected-by-restructuring/belgium
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