Fewer concerns over job retention among employees

© Hollandse Hoogte
Employees are increasingly less concerned about retaining their jobs. In 2016, 24 percent of the employed 15 to 64-year-olds expressed concerns. This percentage was as much as 16 percent before the economic crisis, in 2007. In 2013, concerns over job retention reached their highest level since the beginning of the crisis, accounting for 34 percent. Their number dropped each year from that point onwards. This is evident from new figures taken from the Netherlands Working Conditions Survey (NEA), conducted by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO).

Less job insecurity mainly in construction and health care

Between 2013 and 2016, the share of employees having concerns over job retention decreased across all industries, especially in construction: from 39 to 22 percent. A substantial decline was also seen in health care. However, the level of job insecurity across all industries is still higher than before the crisis. Concerns over job retention mostly occur among employees at financial institutions, but also among a relatively high number of employees in the transport and storage, and information and communication industries. Industries in which employees express relatively few concerns, on the other hand, include agriculture and fisheries, hospitality and education.

Employees with concerns over job retention
 20162013
Total23.833.6
Financial institutions33.142.6
Transport and storage29.335.6
Information and communication28.633.2
Health care25.939.6
Manufacturing25.630.6
Business services25.236.3
Culture, sports and recreation24.134.5
Public administration23.230.7
Construction22.238.5
Wholesale and retail20.330.3
Education18.124
Hotels and restaurants15.427.2
Agriculture and fisheries12.518.3

Less insecurity also during major changes

Concerns over job retention are partly related to major corporate changes such as reductions and reorganisations. Fewer employees were affected by this in recent years, which in part explains the decline in job insecurity. However, employees affected by drastic changes also expressed fewer concerns. Out of the employees affected by reduction involving redundancies in 2016, 44 percent worried about retaining their job. In 2013, this share amounted to as much as 52 percent. In the same period, the share of employees expressing concerns during a major reorganisation fell from 45 to 36 percent.

Employees with concerns over job retention during corporate changes
 20162013
No major changes18.225.2
Reduction
involving redundancies
44.352.1
Transfer of activities
abroad
37.741.5
Major reorganisation35.944.9
Other reorganisations30.739.8

Young, healthy employees least worried

Young people are least concerned over job retention. The share is also relatively low among employees who feel healthy. In the age category 15-24, the share of healthy employees expressing concerns over job retention amounted to 14 percent, versus 25 percent among less healthy workers. Job insecurity was highest among 45 to 54-year-olds who experience a poorer health.

Employees with concerns over job retention by perceived health, 2016
 Needs improvementGood
15 to 24 years25.313.5
25 to 34 years36.320.1
35 to 44 years3520.9
45 to 54 years42.125.9
55 to 64 years34.623.5