Overview of Dutch working conditions 2016

In 2016, occupational health and safety policies in Dutch companies appear to be more widespread than in 2014, but still below the level of 2007. This is one of the findings of the ‘Overview of Dutch working conditions 2016’.

In 2016, there is an increase in compliance with the key provisions of the Working Conditions Act by companies, such as having a contract with an occupational health and safety service or service provider, sickness absence-related policies, a prevention employee, work meetings with employees and provision of information and training. Compliance percentages vary between 45% of companies with a risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E) and 75% of companies with a contract with an occupational health and safety service provider and the provision of information and training. Given that large companies employ the majority of employees, these policies involve 83% and 96% of the Dutch employees. The increase in health and safety policies in 2016 may be related to economic developments.

Work-related accidents and diseases lead to high costs. We have attempted to estimate a number of important cost items. These are the costs of paying salaries to employees who are absent due to work-related causes (4.7 billion euros), disability benefits (1.9 billion euros), and the costs of medical and other care for people with a work-related condition (1.4 billion euros). Together, these costs add up to 8 billion euros, thereby accounting for more than 20% of all the costs of sickness absence, disability, and medical care for those in work.

The ‘Overview of Dutch working conditions 2016’ is published every two years. It presents the current picture, based on figures from recent monitors and surveys, of the working conditions and work-related health of employees and of health and safety policies at companies in the Netherlands.

Download ‘Overview of Dutch working conditions 2016’