Workers losing independence in workplace: Statistics Netherlands

The portion of workers who claim that they can organize their own work has dropped in the last few years, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Employer independence is especially low among those who have not been in their position long. A survey from the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and CBS shows that the number of workers who experience independence at their place of work dropped from 61 percent in 2008 to 56 percent in 2013. Independence is measured in how far employees can make decisions for themselves as well as how and when they perform their duties. According to earlier TNO research, workers with more independence had less burn-out complaints than those who did not, independent workers also increased the innovation power in organizations. Independence dropped the most among workers who have not been employed at their place of work for very long (maximum three years). In 2013, independence among this group was 45 percent, against 56 percent in 2008. This decrease is partially influenced by the number of new employees with flexible working relations. These can organize their work less independently than employees with a steady working relationship. This survey found a similar trend amongst almost all business sectors, bar the building industry, the information and comunication industry and financial institutions. In the building sector, the results went hand in hand with a decreasing number of employees with an executive position. In the financial sector, more employees came in with degrees.