Work happiness in the Netherlands under pressure? New figures from work happiness test show striking decline

Work happiness test reveals new insights

The work happiness test, started as a tool that gives workers insight and tips on how to increase work happiness, has yielded valuable data due to the large number of participants. Based on this data, Driessen Groep in 2024 for the first time analyzed developments in work happiness over the past six years.

An important question in the test is, "How happy are you with your work and working conditions? The result is troubling. Whereas participants scored this question an average of 6.9 in 2018, this has dropped to a paltry 5.3 in 2024. Jeroen Driessen, CEO of HR company Driessen Groep: "It is shocking that work happiness scores such a low figure on average."

New insight or deviation?

The figures differ significantly from other national surveys on work happiness, such as those conducted by research firm Newcom. Prof. Dr. Martijn Burger, academic director of the Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organization (EHERO), therefore calls the findings striking.

He has not seen similar declines in work happiness in the Netherlands in previous studies. According to him, the decline could be related to an increase in perceived workload and uncertainties in the labor market.

Another possible explanation for the decline lies in a different composition of respondents who completed this year's work happiness test. "We face the challenge of understanding whether there really is a broader downward trend in work happiness," Burger said. "For that, additional research among the respondent Groep is necessary."

Call to employers: work happiness as a priority

In any case, Jeroen Driessen said the figures provide cause for self-reflection for employers in the Netherlands. "The loss of work happiness can point to broader problems, such as high work pressure or a mismatch between personal values and the work environment. Employers must act proactively and create a safe, supportive work culture that promotes work happiness. It is important to put work happiness at the top of the agenda and take concrete steps to improve employee work happiness. Employees also have a responsibility, but it is up to employers to take a role in creating the right conditions."

work happiness requires further deepening

Driessen Groep sees this discovery as a clear signal that requires deepening. Jeroen Driessen: "It is important to find out exactly what is going on so that we can work together with employers and employees in a focused way to increase work happiness in the Netherlands. Driessen Groep is committed to this mission with conviction."

About Driessen Groep and the research

At Driessen Groep we aim for work happiness for everyone. To achieve that, our family of companies helps HR professionals, directors and administrators of socially driven organizations increase work happiness. For more than 30 years, we have supported them with services, advice and software for every HR challenge.

The work happiness test was released by Driessen Groep in 2018. Since then, data has been collected that was analyzed in the summer of 2024. This survey is based on the responses of 33,702 participants. 75% of the participants are women and 25% are men. It involves scores from different individuals over time, not the same individuals over time. The work happiness test is distributed by employment agency Driessen and knowledge platform work&happiness.