HR, Health Safety and Environment (HR & HSE)

With its services, the HR, Health Safety & Environment department makes an important contribution to realising the ambitions of VU Amsterdam. We closely monitor internal and external developments and trends and continuously respond to them with up-to-date policies and our services and products in the field of HR and working conditions.

HR & HSE is responsible for policy, advice and support in the area of human resources and working conditions at VU Amsterdam, adding value to the university’s primary processes: teaching and research. We work together closely with faculties and other divisions to achieve VU Amsterdam’s goals.

To help VU Amsterdam achieve its goals for 2025, our focus points for the coming years are:

Recognising and rewarding employees, especially academic staff
Ensuring a safe and attractive working environment for all employees by focusing on work pressure, social safety and organisational culture
Optimising operations by introducing new technological solutions
Hybrid working
Improving diversity (socio-cultural, position of women in academia, participation of people with disabilities)
Further professionalising leadership and management
Creating a talent policy that encourages employees in their development, advancement and professionalism, attracting and retaining international academics

Much of the other work HR & HSE does is part of the standard services organisations are required to provide by law (for instance in relation to the collective labour agreement and working conditions).

Products- and Services catalogue

The Products and Services catalogue describes our departments and the products and services they offer to faculties and divisions at VU Amsterdam. For a quick overview, see the infographic.

Organisational chart

HR & HSE consists of the following departments: HR Policy, HR Advice, HR Service Centre, HR Expertise and Health, Safety and Environment. Besides the director, the management team is made up of the department heads, the HR advisor and the controller.

HR, Health, Safety & Enivronment Directorate

The director advises the Executive Board on personnel matters, direct reports and consultation matters in the area of employee participation. The director participates in VU-wide consultations on company policy and participates in the national Universities of the Netherlands consultation of HPD consultations and working groups in preparation of the Collective Labour Agreement. The director is also ultimately responsible for the department and is functional manager of the employment lawyers.

The divisions of the HR, Health, Safety & Environment department