About Us: At Booking.com, data drives our decisions. Technology is at our core. And innovation is everywhere. But our company is more than datasets, lines of code or A/B tests. We’re the thrill of the first night in a new place. The excitement of the next morning. The friends you encounter. The journeys you take. The sights you see. And the memories you make. Through our products, partners and people, we make it easier for everyone to experience the world.
Role: The Employee Relations Counsel/Officer will play a key role in safeguarding an effective and efficient working relationship between Booking.com and its Dutch Works Council, and ensuring compliance with works council legislation. They will schedule and prepare relevant meetings with the Dutch Works Council and its respective committees, ensure that all materials are timely received from and reviewed by relevant stakeholders, and that incoming questions and requests from the Works Council are answered by the company in a timely manner by gathering input from company stakeholders and reviewing for completeness, accuracy and legal compliance with Dutch employment- and co-determination laws.
Reporting to the Senior Managing Counsel, Employment, this person will partner with the Business, including colleagues across the HR team and with the Employment Counsels, and will support in the management of all Works Council and Trade Union related topics within EMEA. The role will help to define the communication strategy with the EMEA Works Councils, and will collaborate closely with the Employee Relations Specialist in the Netherlands. Together the team will be responsible for supporting local teams in their relations with employee representatives in the Netherlands and EMEA in order to ensure the successful implementation of Global Projects in line with Company strategy. The Employee Relations Counsel will design and safeguard the processes to ensure that the information flow to the Works Council is being managed in a legally compliant and effective manner.
The Employee Relations Counsel will play a central role in legal consultation processes between the company and the Works Council. They will ensure that the right processes and timelines are followed, to enable the effective implementation of important company decisions in line with the company strategy.
The Employee Relations Counsel will be responsible for establishing effective processes to successfully implement, review and amend global HR policies (including the employee handbook) and procedures to support the business in its operational delivery. This person will be responsible for upskilling the HR teams and people managers across the business on best Employee Relations practices to continue to build upon the employee experience, and to mitigate the risk of employment / works council disputes.
The Employee Relations Counsel will develop excellent stakeholder management and -influencing skills that drive ownership, and will have (or will develop) a solid understanding of HR practices and employment law.
Key Job Responsibilities and Duties:
Planning and preparing meetings with the Dutch Works Council and its committees
Keeping a clear overview of all ongoing topics, projects and deadlines in relation to the Dutch Works Council processes, and prioritising topics in collaboration with the Senior Managing Counsel, Employment
Ensuring that the company follows up on requests and questions from the Dutch Works Council efficiently
Reviewing input from project teams and other stakeholders for completeness, accuracy and compliance with applicable Works Council legislation (no legal background required, but strong plus)
Keeping track of past and upcoming commitments to the Dutch Works Council and liaising with relevant stakeholders where necessary
Being a trustworthy point of contact within the Netherlands for both the Company and the Works Councils
Developing effective relationships with the business to support management, the Employment Legal Team and the People Team.
Maintaining a clear overview of all current topics, projects and deadlines related to our local Works Councils in NL & EMEA
Managing a knowledge database of all agreements with Works Councils
Qualifications & Skills:
Excellent time management and organisational skills
Structured way of working, detail oriented
Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) with ability to influence stakeholders
Great at relationship-building and stakeholder management
Proactive, can-do attitude
Relevant experience with employee relations, trade unions or Works Councils
Basic knowledge of Dutch employment law (strong preference for a legal background)
Thorough knowledge of Dutch works council legislation .
Further traits look for:
Alignment with Booking.com’s values (Customer First, Succeed Together, Own It, Learn Forever, Do the Right Thing).
Curiosity, flexibility, and a creative, pragmatic approach to problem-solving.
Confidence with collaboration.
Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Proactivity, resilience, and a drive to deliver results.
Strong judgment with attention to both the big picture and key details.
Courage to take a stance and make tough decisions.
Team-oriented, self-aware, and a good listener.
Agility in prioritizing and meeting deadlines.
Forward-thinking, with a focus on emerging legal and policy issues.
Why join the Legal & Public Affairs Team now?
This is a pivotal moment in e-commerce and travel, and joining Booking.com’s Legal & Public Affairs (LPA) team provides you with opportunities to shape the future. The LPA team plays a key role in enabling Booking.com to become a one-stop solution for all travel-related needs, from accommodation to rental cars, flights and attractions, and beyond. This offers travellers what we like to call the ‘connected trip’ – enabling them to book every aspect of their travel experience seamlessly through our familiar, easy-to-use website or mobile app. As a member of the LPA team you will partner with the business to navigate complex regulations, build new products, and negotiate key deals—while driving ethical, sustainable growth.
Who we are?
We are an award winning team of around 200 professionals from 36+ nationalities, with lawyers qualified in multiple jurisdictions and non-lawyers specializing in public policy, economics, compliance, and risk. We have been recognised and shortlisted individually and as a team by the Legal 500 GC Powerlist, Assoc. of Corp Counsel, Global Competition Review, The Lawyer GC of the Year (shortlisted), Compliance Week and the Financial Times. We encourage active participation in the industry, with board membership and representation at industry bodies at multiple levels, starting with our Chief Legal & Public Affairs Officer, who is currently ACC President for Europe. We also engage with stakeholders on policy issues impacting travel and tech innovation, including through our new public affairs blog, "A World Worth Experiencing."
As a team, we believe in:
Being integral to decision-making, shaping Booking.com’s future.
Supporting Booking's mission to make travel accessible, fostering openness and curiosity.
Offering opportunities for team members to explore new areas or specialize.
Providing holistic, integrated legal and public affairs advice.
Continuously improving Legal Operations, innovating, and sharing best practices.
Learning from mistakes and embracing growth.
Working collaboratively with a sense of humor and enjoying the journey together!
Benefits & Perks - Global Impact, Personal Relevance:
Booking.com’s Total Rewards Philosophy is not only about compensation but also about benefits. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, as well unique-to-Booking.com benefits which include:
Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including: parent, grandparent, bereavement, and care leave
Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country)
Industry leading product discounts - up to 1400 per year - for yourself, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Booking.com:
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion have been a core part of our company culture since day one. This ongoing journey starts with our very own employees, who represent over 140 nationalities and a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations.
Take it from our Chief People Officer, Paulo Pisano: “At Booking.com, the diversity of our people doesn’t just build an outstanding workplace, it also creates a better and more inclusive travel experience for everyone. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. It’s a place where you can make your mark and have a real impact in travel and tech.”
We ensure that colleagues with disabilities are provided the adjustments and tools they need to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Application Process:
- Let’s go places together: How we Hire
Detailed instructions on post-application requirements including any required application materials, deadlines, portfolios, coding challenges, or other assessments as defined by BU or department.
This role does not come with relocation assistance.
Booking.com is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strive to move well beyond traditional equal opportunity and work to create an environment that allows everyone to thrive.
