Language of personnel documents in Brussels
In Brussels, individual documents covered by law are drafted in French for French-speaking staff and Dutch for Dutch-speaking staff. The region’s bilingualism does not require two versions of each individual document.
Article 52 of the coordinated laws of July 18, 1966 regulates acts and documents legally required and those intended for staff of industrial, commercial, or financial enterprises. The territorial criterion is the place of business. In Brussels-Capital, choose French or Dutch according to the language of the staff member concerned.
For a collective document intended for French-speaking and Dutch-speaking staff, provide both versions. Article 52, paragraph 2, allows adding a translation to notices, communications, acts, certificates, and forms when staff composition justifies it. A translation does not dispense with establishing the document in the legally required language.
According to article 59, an irregular document must be replaced spontaneously or upon notice. If not followed within a month, the justice of the peace can order the addition of a sworn translation at the company’s expense. The replacement takes effect on the date of the replaced document. Justel version updated May 9, 2016.