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How can I prove that I have worked?

Documentary evidence of your employment is very important. Particularly if you have no written contract. If any problems do occur, you have to prove that you’re telling the truth. The following tips can help you gather good evidence.

Tips

If you have a smartphone, use it to gather evidence. To make sure you don’t lose the evidence if your smartphone is lost or stolen, store this information in the cloud.

Hou alle documenten goed bij

  • Save everything you have on paper or make a copy or take a clearly legible photo of: badges, invoices, receipts… If possible, have your employer sign any agreements. Make sure there’s a date noted down on it.
  • When you make a note of something, write down the exact date (day/month/year) where possible. The more precise your story, the stronger it is.
  • If an accident occurs while you are at work, keep all the papers from the hospital and doctors you visited. Explain to them that you had an accident at work. Also ask them to note this down in their reports. Also ask for a certificate of occupational disability (to say you are unable to work).

Verzamel informatie over je baas

  • Keep a note of the full name of your employer and also their telephone number, private address, car registration, etc.
  • Look up the full and correct name of your employer’s company. You will find it on official documents such as an order form, invoice or business card. If you can’t find a document such as this, gather as much other information as possible so the right name can be found out: the address, what the company does, names of other companies your employer has etc. In the food and hospitality sectors, for example, you can take a photo of the blue sign on the door.
  • Try to find out your employer’s tax number or the company’s registration number in the trade register. A whole lot of information can be found using these details.
  • Save all the messages you receive from your employer, even when they are on SMS and WhatsApp. Record your screen as in the video below and save the file. This means messages won’t disappear if your employer deletes the conversation.

Here is the link to the instruction video for iPhones.

Verzamel informatie over je werkplek(ken)

  • Write down where (addresses) and when (dates and times) you worked in as much detail as possible.
  • Take recognisable photos and videos of your workplace and yourself while you’re working. Make sure that the place you’re working is also recognisable.
  • Don’t forget to write down the name of the street and the number of your workplace. Houses and shops nearby can also be helpful.
  • Describe the workplace (for example, the interior of a house or a yard). This proves you can show you were really there.
  • Make a note of the names of firms that deliver to the workplace or that also work there.
  • At larger sites, there is sometimes a security company that makes a note of everyone entering and leaving. Be sure to make a note of this company’s name. Keep track of badges or make a copy or take a photo.

Verzamel info over je collega’s en klanten

  • Be sure to keep a note of all telephone numbers.
  • Ask your neighbours, colleagues, etc. if they will testify on your behalf if necessary. Write down their telephone numbers too.
  • Make a note of the registration numbers of the cars you see at work. Your employer’s car, for example, or the customer you’re working for or other people who work there.
  • Do you know the surnames of the people you’re working with?
  • The name you address someone by is not always their official name (for example, Mieke’s real name is actually Maria).
  • Who took you to your work? Who let you in?

Hoe bewijzen doorsturen

If you have a case with FAIRWORK Belgium, you can pass the photos and videos on to us. This video will show you how.

Here is the link to the instruction video for iPhones.

Important: Always save as much information as you can. This means that if there are ever any problems, you will be prepared. If you only start gathering evidence after you have been fired, it is often more difficult to find documentary evidence.