Can an Aupair in The Netherlands quit? even if she is working through a Dutch agency?

"when it proves necesary to terminate the agreement both parties should make sure to inform all agencies and authorities concerned to this placement ASAP,even if the agreement has been concluded for a specific period,it may be terminated by either party with 2 weeks notice" Ok, I don't have the contract so I can't read the entire thing. But it sounds like you should talk to your family about how you're uncomfortable and you think you may have made a mistake. Talk to them about letting you go home, get them to agree. Then you need to find a way to contact the company that set you up with the family (they should have agents or a division in the same city as you, or a city in the country at least). It seems like you should be able to just contact them... But you said they didn't reply to your request? I ... don't know what you can do about it if you can't reach the company. That's a very irresponsible move on their part. And they are your ticket home. They'll be the ones who'll arrange travel and whatnot. That's just awful they'd leave you there though. EDIT: Forgot that two weeks notice bit, sorry. Yeah it seems like you need to tell them you're leaving at least two weeks before you do. But I don't know how your travel situation is set up but it seems like you'll still be out of luck if you can't reach the agency unless you already have return tickets to your home.

Do you have a copy of the contract? If you are not happy and feel enslaved by this host person, it sounds to me like you should be able to quite. The part of the agreement that you quoted states that you can quite. You have a legitimate reason for not wanting to be there and you should give your two weeks notice immediately. If they ask for a reason, let them know that you are suffering extreme anxiety from the work load imposed and that you are having difficulty relating to your host mom. Don't worry about what face she will make. Don't stay in this situation out of fear. Look for another position with a different agency and move on, or perhaps find out your rights with the Peruvian embassy in Holland. They should have information about working in Holland as an aupair. If you run into any trouble with any interantional issues, go to your embassy and demand that they help you.

I wouldn't email them but either talk to them in person or over the phone. An email is easily misunderstood or ignored if the question you're asking is too hard. I would explain your situation and ask if they can help you. I'm sure they come accross similar situations where a host family doesn't work out (either because of the host, because of the au pair or because it just doesn't work between the 2). Maybe they can talk with the host mom (maybe together with you) or maybe they can place you with a different family. As for the contract it reads to me that you should be able to quit with 2 weeks notice.

It says you need to give two weeks notice, but you can indeed quit at any time you want. If you think Evil Mom is going to give you trouble, leave earlier. She's not keeping her end of the contract by giving you more work hours anyway, and there really is nothing she can do if you leave tonight. There is no such thing as slavery in the Netherlands, so you are not 'enslaved' by this contract - you can quit. Where will you go, by the way?

Girl, you can quit. It says so in the contract and even if it didn't you could as well. Start writing your letter of resignation today and make sure you send it by registered post to the agency. Notify the family and you'll be able to leave in three weeks probably. You're not obligated to give the family the real reason why you're quitting. Just make sure the agency does know it. Handle everything conform the contract, it will be better for you if you want to try it again another time somewhere else. They can check your references so always make sure you leave with good manners. Considering the way you feel, that shouldn't be a problem. Good luck!