Waar zit nog onbenut arbeidspotentieel in Nederland? [Where is unused labour potential in the Netherlands?]
article
In the debate on the current tight labour market the so-called ‘unused labour potential’ is referred to with high expectations. In this study, we investigate two forms of underutilization: quantitative underutilization (working fewer than 36 hours per week) and qualitative underutilization (having more skills than needed for the current job). Using two large data sets – the Netherlands Working Conditions Survey (NEA) and the Cohort Onderzoek Duurzame Inzetbaarheid (CODI) – we show that around half of employees work part-time (quantitative underutilization), with large difference between men and women. Qualitative underutilization is relatively stable across the different groups with 30% and is most present among workers with less complex occupations. We further show that the desire to work more hours often does not result in more working hours. Only one-third of the workers fulfilled their wish a year later. We conclude that there is little to be expected from expanding the working hours of part-timers and that focusing on reducing qualitative underutilization seems advisable.
Topics
TNO Identifier
996444
Source
Tijdschrift voor Arbeidsvraagstukken, 40(2), pp. 175-188.
Pages
175-188