Dutch youth want flexible, not permanent work; told to shave hipster beards

The majority of Dutch young people would prefer a flexible job at this point in their lives, instead of fixed, permanent worked. Most of them are also willing to shave off their hipster beards if if their prospective employer requires it, according to a study done by TNO on behalf of broadcaster Young Capital. The study was done among more than 5 thousand young European people. 57.3 percent of Dutch young people prefer a temporary contract for now. A year long contract is the most popular, with 22.4 percent. Yet young people still attach a certain importance to a permanent contract. Paul Preenen of TNO believes that for the youth it is mainly about the practical advantages associated with job security in the long term, such as buying a house. "Security and buying a house is for many in this society still equal to a fixed contract. Old fashioned? Certainly. But there are not many alternatives yet." Preenen explained. The Dutch youth is also very accommodating when it comes to changing their appearance if it would mean getting a job. 79.4 percent are willing to shave the aforementioned hipster beard, 71.8 percent will remove a piercing, 80 percent will cover a tattoo, 69.3 percent will change their clothing and 22 percent will even lose a few kilograms. With this study Young Capital aimed to map the work-flexibility of the new generation of workers, and the study found that the youth are quite flexible. "Employers would do well to put themselves better in the mindset of young people. The war for talent is presents itself. Indeed in the IT and technology sectors, it started long ago. Yet we still see around us a traditional employer mentality that businesses really can't afford anymore." CEO Ineke Koostra said. "Our research shows that young people are very flexible towards their employer. We think it's logical that employers reach out to the young talent. They really need each other."