The Belgian law differentiates between companies with fewer and more than 20 workers regarding collective dismissals (within 60 days, at least 10 dismissals in companies with 20-99 employees, at least 10% in companies with 100-299 employees or at least 30 dismissals in companies with 300 or more employees).

The measure described in the legislation is compulsory for companies with 20 or more workers, while the scheme is voluntary for those that employ fewer employees.

Companies which employ at least 20 workers  (except those with an interim contract or those that have reached pension age) are obliged to contribute to a special reemployment unit or a regional reemployment unit of a ‘reconversion cell’ type, so-called ‘outplacement units’.

The outplacement is a set of services and advice provided on behalf of the employer for the benefit of the workers to help them find a new job with another employer as quickly as possible or to become self-employed. These services are provided by an outplacement office that is specialised in the outplacement of employees.

Moreover, companies which employ at least 20 workers are obliged to pay a reclassification allowance, for a period of three months for workers younger than 45 years or for six months for those aged over 45 years. For workers aged 45 or older, additional mandatory regulations are in place, following CA 82bis. For instance, beyond the mandatory severance pay, the social plan that is agreed upon should include measures such as early retirement plans, supplements to social security benefits, conditions to guarantee the employment security for those employees who remain in service and outplacement services. All dismissed workers have access to accompanying advice, guidance and training measures that take account of their skills and experience and the jobs they could potentially do. The measures include organising job interviews with potential new employees, preparation for the interviews and training to extend or update skills. These services are usually paid by the employer. In some cases, the joint committees composed by sectoral social partners may decide to support outplacement costs through sectoral social/training funds. The regional public employment offices and/or private companies specialised in outplacement services are responsible for providing the services throughout the process.