Photo: Guy Ackermans Despite the fact that plenty of attention is devoted to working pressure, the action plans fail to solve the issue successfully. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (Dutch acronym SZW) Inspection states that this is because the efforts made are focused on the individual. At the same time, the causes behind work pressure remain unaddressed. The current approach will thus not solve the problem of work pressure, says the Inspection.
The WOinActie protest group recorded over 700 complaints (links to Dutch content) about work pressure last year. This prompted the Inspection to evaluate all the universities’ plans regarding work pressure, working hours and undesired behaviour and discrimination. That study has now been completed and leads to the conclusion that all is not well.
Employee satisfaction monitor
The results of WUR’s employee monitor, which were divulged this week, confirm this conclusion. Four out of ten WUR-employees say the work pressure at WUR is high or too high. This outcome is the same as two years ago, showing that there is no change. Efforts to reduce the work pressure have either failed or been thwarted by the corona crisis.
In terms of overwork, the universities overexploit their staff, WOinActie states. However, the Inspection is unable to address this issue. As soon as income rises above a certain level (thrice the minimum wage, or in excess of 64000 euros), the Working Hours Act no longer applies. Nonetheless, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the employees’ hours are reasonable.
Too tired
This, too, is a prominent result of the WUR employee monitor. Many employees are too tired to undertake leisure activities after a working day. This fatigue has increased since the last survey. There are insufficient possibilities to lower the workload. The work-personal life balance scores a meagre six on a scale of ten.
Undesired behaviour and discrimination are also a concern addressed by the Inspection. There is insufficient attention for this issue, and the aftercare leaves much to be desired. The WUR-monitor confirms this. Both the way complaints are handled, the level of support and aftercare are rated as insufficient.
