The feeling of well-being among employees increased by 4 per cent in 2022. In particular, work-life balance and attention to personal development improved. Absenteeism nevertheless reached new record levels, with 9 per cent of employees having more than 20 days of absence. This according to the latest edition of ABN AMRO's Sectoral Wellbeing Monitor.
Staff shortages act as a crowbar to increase employee well-being
Just when staff shortages are still acute, there has been an increase in employee well-being. Work-life balance, for instance, improved by 18 per cent last year, partly due to a decreasing workload. Employers are also paying more attention to employees' personal development. Overall, well-being increased by as much as 4 per cent in 2022, the highest level in the past eight years. This is according to the latest edition of ABN AMRO's Sectoral Wellbeing Monitor, which examined the well-being of Dutch employees in 17 sectors based on 87 variables and seven categories: work-life balance, health, personal development, economy, equal opportunities, safety and climate. According to ABN AMRO, the large staff shortages seem to act as a crowbar in this respect. With a stronger focus on staff retention, more attention is being paid to their well-being.
Health barely up in 2022; absenteeism at record level
Despite visible improvements, there are also major reasons for concern, according to ABN AMRO. For instance, it appears that employee health scores have barely improved and absenteeism has again reached record levels. Almost one in 10 employees had at least 20 days of absenteeism last year. Among workers in the healthcare sector, the score on the health category has decreased by as much as 29 per cent since 2015. However, compared to previous years, workers in all sectors are less likely to point to their job as the cause of absenteeism. Financial stress seems to play a role in this. For instance, it is becoming increasingly difficult for workers to buy an affordable home or make ends meet without debt. Although the Equal Opportunities category improved, female workers still receive almost 13 per cent less pay per hour than their male colleagues. Furthermore, it appears that work-related training is still more attractive for those with higher education than those with lower education.
Employee position strengthened
"The chronic staff shortages and social desire to build organisations that are good for people and the environment are reflected in the monitor. The cards are being reshuffled, which has strengthened the position of employees," says Sonny Duijn Sector Economist Themes at ABN AMRO. "Nevertheless, there are still many areas of concern. Especially when more pressure comes to bear, wellbeing can easily deteriorate, as shown by the high rate of absenteeism. In addition, it is important that the concept of success is given a broader meaning. "It is good to look beyond financial factors and explicitly include social and environmental indicators, such as job happiness and environmental footprint. Factors such as turnover, profit or customer numbers then become part of a strategic goal rather than an end in themselves."
The full report can be downloaded here.
