The negative effects of the Covid-19 measures are unfortunately being felt by many entrepreneurs. A significant reduction in turnover and loss of work are frequent occurrences, while (wage) costs continue as usual. This means that temporary and structural choices have to be made.

The government has always been committed to sustainable job retention, including by making the NOW (2.0) wage subsidy available until 1 October 2020. Other support measures are also available. But they remain temporary band-aids on a wound that does not know how long it will take to heal.

Do you have sufficient insight into how your company is doing now? And after 1 October? Marxman Advocaten has made the Act Now - Barometer available to you, so that you can quite easily gain insight into whether there is a need for action. If that need turns out to be (urgent), you are certainly not alone. Our employment law specialists Eline Beekhuis and Annemiek Poortman offer you a 30-minute online consultation, free of obligation, to see together whether and if so what action is necessary or desirable.

Barometer - where does my company stand after NOW?

The short test below is a good indicator of whether there may be a need to reorganise due to the effects of the corona crisis.

How healthy would you say your company’s profitability was before the coronavirus crisis?
a) very healthy
b) healthy
c) moderate
d) not good; there were already problems

Do you have a good understanding of your financial situation?
a) yes
b) a little
c) no

To what extent are you experiencing a decline in turnover because your market has shrunk (substantially) as a result of the coronavirus?
a) No, I have not experienced a decline in turnover
b) 10–25 per cent
c) 25–50%
d) 50–75%
e) More than 75%

If you have applied for a NOW 1.0 grant, to what extent is the NOW 1.0 sufficient to offset the current drop in turnover?
a) Not applicable; I have not (yet) had to use a NOW grant
b) The NOW grant partially covers the drop in turnover
c) The NOW grant goes a long way towards offsetting the drop in turnover
d) No, I have not applied for a grant, but I should have done so, or I have not received a grant

Have you already applied for a NOW 2.0 grant, or do you expect to apply for one in the future?
a) No, I do not need this
b) Perhaps
c) Yes, definitely, as the drop in turnover remains substantial

What percentage of your total costs do wage costs account for?
a) 0–20%
b) 20–40%
c) 40–60%
d) 60–80%
e) 80–100%

What is the percentage of permanent staff compared to those on temporary contracts and flex workers?
a) 0–25%
b) 25–50%
c) 50–75%
d) 75% or more

Do you expect to have to cut costs in the near future?
a) No, that is not necessary
b) Yes, some cost-cutting measures are needed
c) Definitely; I also expect this to involve staff costs

Are you concerned about the period after 1 October 2020 because your market has shrunk (substantially) due to the coronavirus?
a) Not at all; in fact, I’m benefiting from it
b) To some extent; I’m only slightly affected
c) Very much so; I am being severely affected by the impact of the coronavirus crisis

Score calculation

To calculate your total score, simply add up the scores for the individual questions:
1a = 1 point, 1b = 2 points, 1c = 3 points, 1d = 5 points
2a = 1 point, 2b = 3 points, 2c = 5 points
3a = 1 point, 3b = 2 points, 3c = 3 points, 3d = 5 points, 3e = 5 points
4a = 1 mark, 4b = 3 marks, 4c = 4 marks, 4d = 5 marks
5a = 1 mark, 5b = 3 marks, 5c = 5 marks
6a = 1 mark, 6b = 2 marks, 6c = 3 marks, 6d = 4 marks, 6e = 5 marks
7a = 1 point, 7b = 2 points, 7c = 3 points, 7d = 5 points
8a = 1 mark, 8b = 3 marks, 8c = 5 marks
9a = 1 mark, 9b = 3 marks, 9c = 5 marks

Results

Is your overall score:

(up to 14 points)

It seems that your company is financially sound and that you have sufficient insight into your business. Admittedly, it is exciting to do business in corona times, but it seems that you are not at a disadvantage and may even benefit. At the moment, there seems to be no need to move to cost-cutting measures. We wish you good luck and a steady course. You may still have questions following the results. Even then, you can contact our employment law specialists without any obligation.

(15 to 25 points)

It seems that you have been hit somewhat by the corona crisis and there has been a drop in turnover. Although there are temporary arrangements to cushion the impact, it may not yet be clear to you whether this is enough to keep your company financially healthy in the long term. Together with you, we would like to take a timely look at the need to take cost-saving measures. Especially if you decide to reorganise, it is important to do so in time. Several months may pass before employment contracts can be terminated. What the right timeframe is, our employment law specialists will be happy to discuss this with you in a free, no-obligation 30-minute online consultation.

(26 to 45 points)

It seems that your company has been hit hard by the corona crisis. Perhaps you have already applied for support measures, but they are not sufficient. At the moment, your company does not seem ready to continue after 1 October without support measures or intervention. It is vital for your company to take action now. You do not have to do this alone. We would be happy to go through the first steps with you in a free, no-obligation 30-minute online consultation. Then we will outline which measures you can take now, but also which you can take in the longer term to stay healthy in the future.

GAP analysis and free, no-obligation online consultation

If, as a result of the above, you would like to delve a little deeper into things, please leave your details below. We will then send you a so-called GAP analysis by e-mail, which will allow you to map out your own situation in more detail. At the same time, this is an excellent starting point for the free, no-obligation online consultation we offer.

Act NOW - Barometer reorganisation & GAP analysis