Renée Huijsmans-Zwijnenburg

Renée Huijsmans-Zwijnenburg

Partner & Attorney at law

Employment & Employee Participation

Renée Huijsmans-Zwijnenburg is, as a client once described, straightforward and to the point. This makes her a great fit for De Clercq. In her daily practice, Renée assists executives, legal counsels, and HR with various employment law issues, including individual and collective dismissals, reorganisations, employment conditions, and incapacity for work. Within employment law, she has specialised in cases involving integrity or undesirable behaviour. Social safety is high on her agenda.

"Integrity and addressing undesirable behaviour are fundamental to a safe workplace where everyone feels respected and valued. In my work, I not only look at the legal frameworks but also at the impact on company culture and the practical applicability of measures. Together with entrepreneurs and HR professionals, I seek solutions that truly work and contribute to a culture of trust. And if necessary, I am ready with concrete legal steps to ensure that transgressive behaviour is addressed and integrity is safeguarded."

Education

Renée studied Law at Maastricht University, where she chose Civil Law as her major. In the years that followed, Renée specialised in employment law. She successfully completed the Grotius specialisation course in Employment Law at Radboud University Nijmegen in 2015.

Career

Since 2009, Renée has worked as a lawyer and legal advisor. In 2015, she joined the De Clercq team with considerable practical experience. Within employment law, Renée has specialised in various subfields, such as reorganisations, individual and collective dismissals, and social safety. Additionally, Renée is a supervisor (HR portfolio) at the Stichting Openbaar Primair Onderwijs Oegstgeest and contributes as a board member of the Stichting Vrienden van het Zaans Medisch Centrum to a healthy Zaanstreek.

Daily practice

Within the Labour, Participation & Mediation section, Renée mainly focuses on individual and collective dismissal law. She can also provide excellent advice on matters related to employment contracts, employment conditions, incapacity for work, underperformance, and the employment law aspects of reorganisations. Her passion lies in issues related to social safety. Renée is eager to share her knowledge through publications, training sessions, or workshops. She is regularly invited as a speaker at conferences.

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The latest developments

Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

The WHOA agreement and the role of the works council

5 December 2025

The Act on the Confirmation of a Private Restructuring Plan (WHOA) has by now become a well-known instrument for the restructuring of companies with a heavy debt burden. The WHOA offers possibilities to restructure companies that are in serious financial distress without bankruptcy. In an earlier blog it was already described that, within the WHOA, a role is also assigned to employee participation. It became clear that the works council or staff representation can have a role at the start and during the preparation of a WHOA process. But how does this work in relation to the formation of the WHOA agreement? Is the entrepreneur obliged to submit the WHOA agreement to the works council for advice?

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Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

Additional Powers for the Works Council? And How to Properly Document Them

18 November 2025

Additional powers usually work effectively only when they are clearly and formally agreed upon in writing between the Works Council and the management. This helps prevent disputes about what is actually intended and which rights the Works Council truly holds.

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Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

Meet the team: Ymke Stam

10 November 2025

In this section, we introduce a colleague each month from the Employment, Co-Determination & Mediation team. This month, it is Ymke Stam’s turn, Legal Officer within the Employment & Co-Determination team. Curious about her story and what drives her? Read on!

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