The pandemic is entering its third year and makes no distinction. Everyone has to adapt to a situation that is also constantly changing. Certainly also with regard to work and working conditions. Despite this – or perhaps thanks to all the restrictions and improvisations – the majority of the 5.7 million working Dutch people in paid employment are remarkably positive about their situation. This is apparent from the large New Year's Survey 2022 by online pension provider BeFrank. A better work-life balance is at the top of the New Year's resolutions.
Overall, the more than a thousand respondents are remarkably satisfied with their job. And they enjoy working. Expressed in numbers, almost half of the people (46%) even rate their job satisfaction with a score higher than 8. A third (31%) of them give a large 7. Together they make up more than 75% of the respondents. The proportion who rate job satisfaction a 9 is even greater than those who rate a 5 or less. Respectively more than 11% against more than 8%. It should be noted that approximately 40% indicate that job satisfaction has indeed decreased due to the pandemic. Against 10% who experience an improvement. It is mainly the workers aged up to 39 who experience a deterioration in their work situation. And especially the highly educated. Overall, however, the mood is still remarkably positive.
The high degree of satisfaction is reflected in the limited desire to change jobs. In the age group up to 30 years, more than 20% prefer not to change organizations anymore. By the age of 45, that wish has even doubled. And in the 50-59 age group, barely 12% is still willing to work for another employer. In addition to age, education level strongly influences the willingness to change jobs. A quarter of the highly educated do not rule out a switch to another employer. Against a tenth of the low-skilled. Reasons for changing jobs are 1) higher salary (43%) or 2) a new challenge (27%) and 3) less work pressure and stress (24%). In those cases where the possibility of another job arises, a majority – 52% – includes their pension conditions in the negotiations.
A new year always gives room for reflection. That is the time to formulate some good intentions, also with regard to work.
1) Better work-life balance:29%
2) Follow a course or training through work:24%
3) Healthier lifestyle while working:19%
4) Asking for a salary increase:17%
5) Have more time for social contacts outside of work:17%
The chance that these intentions will also become reality is considered to be highest when it comes to following a course or training through work. Then comes the resolution for a healthier lifestyle. Despite the fact that job satisfaction is experienced as high by the respondents, most see room for further improvement.
1) Learn to say “No”
2) Taking breaks more often during work
3) More frequent exercise and/or sports during work
4) Better separation between work and private life
5) Less grumbling
There are also plenty of opportunities for the employer to take the valued job satisfaction to an even higher level.
1) Offer better salary
2) Permanently create a good atmosphere
3) Compliment more often
4) Offer freedom to manage your own time
5) Be flexible in taking days off
The answers from the previous New Year's survey hardly differ from this year. Moreover, the deviations are too small to draw conclusions. An exception are the answers to the statement 'Working 40 hours a week is no longer appropriate'. While in December 2020, half of the people agreed or strongly agreed with this, this year it has increased to 58%.
The extent to which the organization they work for is more sustainable than five years ago was also examined. And to what extent people consider it important to work for an organization that is sustainable. These figures have hardly shifted compared to last year and fluctuate around 54% and 52% in both years. Apparently the pandemic has no influence on this.
It is striking how many people in paid employment manage to free up time – in addition to work – for performing voluntary work. No less than 22% of them do voluntary work and another 14% intend to do so in 2022. Half of these potential extra volunteers consider the chance high to very high that this will actually work.
