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."
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.
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.
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.
Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation
22 June 2026
This week, the Dutch Senate approved a bill introducing a statutory presumption of employment for workers earning a low hourly rate. What does this presumption entail, and what does it mean for organisations engaging self-employed workers?
Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation
19 May 2026
Good news for employers dealing with employees on long-term sick leave: the proposed restriction of the compensation scheme for transition payments to small employers has been postponed. The intended effective date has been moved from 1 July 2026 to 1 January 2027. This means employers can continue to make use of the current compensation scheme for the time being.
Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation
9 April 2026
Plans for the implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive are on the way. Employers will soon be required to be more transparent about salaries, make pay differences visible, and take action where necessary. That sounds logical, as there is little debate that equal pay for equal work should be the guiding principle. However, the Council of State has raised several significant concerns about the legislative proposal - and these are relevant for every employer.