What is a reflection principle?

The reflection principle is a method used in the Netherlands to determine the order of dismissals in case of redundancies for business economic reasons. This principle requires that within each age category (15-25, 25-35, 35-45, 45-55, and 55+ years), the last employee hired is the first to be considered for dismissal. The aim is to maintain a balanced age structure within the organisation.

There are situations in which this principle does not apply, for example, to employees with a unique position or in the case of exceptions laid down in a social plan. The reflection principle must be viewed in the context of employment and unemployment, whereby it offers an alternative to the seniority principle (last in, first out).

This term is important within labour law and business economic decision-making.