EuFlex on missed shift allowances: “We'll make things right”

According to the university, the issue came to light after a similar situation arose at the TU/e Student Sports Center earlier this year. Students there had also been denied shift allowances for working irregular hours. Following that incident, students contacted EuFlex with questions about their own working arrangements. Around 25 students have now filed claims with EuFlex.

Students can claim backdated shift allowances for up to five years. The university says a separate process will be set up to address payments owed for periods before July 1. EuFlex is currently contacting students who are still working for the organization.

“Repaying outstanding amounts”

EuFlex director Leo Robben says the issue is receiving the organization’s full attention. “We should have been applying these allowances sooner, but we didn’t. We want to correct this retroactively wherever reasonably possible. However, it will take some time before all outstanding amounts have been repaid. We thank all students for their patience.”

How did you become aware that students were not receiving the allowances they were entitled to?

“Following the developments at the Sports Center, our students started asking questions. We began investigating whether the situation was comparable. EuFlex then started checking the matter with TU/e.”

Why couldn’t EuFlex immediately clarify whether students were entitled to shift allowances?

“It was not immediately clear to what extent students employed through EuFlex had an employment arrangement comparable to that of student assistants at TU/e, or how this related to the collective labor agreement. This took time. The fact that EuFlex itself is in the middle of a reorganization didn’t help either. But the picture is becoming clearer: the issue has been resolved for the current group of student workers. We are still working on addressing the past.”

Why were students only informed about the allowances early last week?

“It took time to adapt the AFAS app. The app has now been updated for students currently working with us. They have been informed about how and when to record hours eligible for shift allowances. We are still working out the best way to address past payments.”

Have you investigated whether the allowances could be calculated automatically based on recorded working hours?

“No. We considered it, but that is not possible. We would lose the ability to check whether a student worked in the evening or on weekends on their own initiative or at the request of the client.”

What is EuFlex doing now to resolve the issue?

“EuFlex did not keep records of students’ exact working hours. We have now added an option to the AFAS time-tracking app that allows students to enter hours eligible for shift allowances. Once the client approves those hours, the allowances are paid. This addresses the issue for the present and the future, but not for the past.

“We are working on an action plan, and a project team involving representatives from EuFlex and TU/e is gradually taking shape. There will probably be a dedicated email address, along with information on when and how students can submit a claim.”

This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor