FAQ how do I determine my (hourly) rate?

If it concerns work in gainfull employment, then you are receiving a salary. Negotiations are often about a gross salary: the pay from which taxes and national insurance contributions have not yet been deducted. In addition, you may discuss benefits like pension, reimbursement of expenses and training. The employee receives a net salary. The employer pays the taxes and national insurance contributions directly to the Tax Authorities and also pays a percentage of employer’s contributions in addition to the gross salary.

In the case of commissioned work, you are receiving a fee. The party accepting the assignment has to arrange and pay taxes and insurances themselves. Also think about reservation of time and money for vacation or additional training. With regard to equal pay, the hourly rate for a self-employed professional can be approximately 50% higher than the gross pay of an employee to cover these additional costs.

Collective labour agreements include, among other things, agreements about pay, working hours and pension. They also include something about trainee allowances and minimum rates for self-employed persons sometimes. Even if no collective labour agreement is applicable to the work or the assignment by law, you can find information therein about standard fees.

Collective labour agreements are concluded between employers’ organisations and trade unions. Sectoral collective labour agreements apply to affiliated employers in a particular sector. If this collective labour agreement is declared universally applicable, the collective labour agreement, or parts thereof, will apply to everyone who works in the sector. This applies, for example, to the Collective Labour Agreement for Theatre and Dance (Cao Toneel) and the Collective Labour Agreement for Architectural Firms (Cao Architectenbureaus). A company collective labour agreement applies to the organisation in question.

Trade unions and professional associations sometimes publish recommended rates and guidelines. These are not laid down by law, but following the guidelines is sometimes stipulated as a grant requirement.

It’s not always easy to find clear guidelines for each sector or for each assignment. You should therefore regularly investigate yourself what is reasonable and customary for the work, the sector and the country in which you are working. Ask colleagues or peers, for example, what they ask for similar work. You can also take experience or familiarity into account.

In the Netherlands, there are, among other things, guidelines for exhibiting visual artists, composers and for appearing in radio and TV programs of the NPO. The Kunstenbond designed a rate checker for the self-employed. You should also look for other sources: there is also, for example, an app called Film crew fees calculator.

Whether it concerns a monthly salary, hourly rate or fee: always think about the factors time and costs. If costs have to be incurred, agree who will pay which costs.

How much time is the work expected to take? If it concerns employment: can the work be done in the number of days per week/ the period for which a contract is drawn up? In the case of an assignment for which a fixed amount is agreed: how many hours is the assignment expected to take and how much consultation is also involved? Is the fee divided by the total number of hours reasonable?

Platform ACCT is working on making fair pay and fair practice a reality within the fairPACCT program (2021-2028). "Supply chain tables," also known as discussion tables, have been organised for various subsectors. Here, workers and clients/employers jointly develop proposals for improved working conditions. Professional organisations and unions are also involved. This results in practical toolkits and fee guidelines. For example, there are supply chain tables for music (pop, jazz, and classical music), film, visual arts, arts education, performing arts festivals, and technicians. Stay tuned for developments.