HSI - Hugo Sinzheimer Institute

The Hugo Sinzheimer Institute is affiliated to the Law Faculty of the University of Amsterdam. Researchers from the institute are specialised in the fields of Labour and Law. The institute is named after the German labour lawyer and legal sociologist Hugo Sinzheimer (1875-1945). Sinzheimer came to the Netherlands in 1933 and here, he was appointed as a professor at the University of Amsterdam.

The Hugo Sinzheimer Institute for research into Labour and Law has as its objective the coordination, implementation and stimulation of interdisciplinary research into the practice of labour law and social security law. Therefore it combines insights from the social sciences, legal dogmas and legal theories in its research. To put the objectives of the institute into practice, the Hugo Sinzheimer Institute initiates and conducts research, gives advice and organises meetings, conferences, courses, etc.

The HSI takes part in various international research networks, among which the 'Human Resource Management in Multinational Companies-Network' and the 'Transitional Labour Markets-Network'. The second network has been coordinated by the Wissenschaftzentrum für Sozialforschung Berlin and both networks are supported by the EU. Furthermore, the HSI functions as the Dutch reporter for the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO), which is coordinated by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions in Dublin. Together with other institutes from the University of Amsterdam, the HSI manages the Temp Work Research Monitor (TWRM) website and provides information on research reports and articles relating to temporary employment.

In brief, the central question reads as follows:

How far has employment law shifted from protection to arrangement, and what are the consequences for employment law, employment law as a discipline and employment relations?

Within the programme there are four levels of research.

- conceptual level:l we study the previously formulated principles in more detail and seek to explore the theoretical aspects of the central question in greater depth.
- which elements of collective employment law of different countries are comparable and what conclusions can be drawn from this?
- employment law as a discipline in relation to other areas of law.
- employment law: social changes described should be absorbed into statutory regulations on employee participation and the creation of collective terms of employment. The question is how that can be done best. The choice in favour of internationally oriented research means that this question is approached by the consideration of international rules and comparative law, which will build a strong connection with the second level.