Monitoring the labour situation

Within Monitoring & Foresight, we monitor the state of working life in the Netherlands, analyse trends and provide insights into possible future developments based on systematic foresight studies. We collect high-quality data, develop methodologies for data collection and analysis, and create and implement evidence-based methods. The monitoring data and foresight studies provide insights into the current situation and work changes in work in both the short and long term. This is of great value for addressing labour issues and provides a scientific basis for policy development.

Labour monitor

The Labour Monitoring programme was developed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW). Every year or two years, thousands of employees (NEA), self-employed workers (ZEA) and employers (WEA) are asked to take part in large-scale, representative surveys on various work-related themes, such as lifelong learning, mental and physical health, absenteeism, safety, productivity, and innovation. Additionally, cohort studies (CODI and STREAM) are used to track fixed groups of workers over time.

TNO collects data in collaboration with partners such as CBS. This enables TNO to perform all kinds of additional analyses, including linking data with other databases. This data can illuminate various developments in the labour market. For instance, both the Social and Economic Council (SER) and TNO have systematically listed relevant indicators for a learning culture in the Netherlands in the Learning Culture Monitor. Results are available by sector, different groups of workers and company size. The monitor can serve as a benchmark, providing information about the success of a particular sector compared to the rest of the Netherlands or about how a certain company related to other companies in the same sector or size class. One study focused on the learning culture in municipalities.

A look into the future

While The Labour Monitor is used to see how the current situation compares with the past, the Foresight projects look at the future of work. One example is The Future of Occupational Health and Safety project, in which TNO, RIVM, and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment explored what developments can be expected in the Netherlands and what is means for health and safety at work, through a broad horizon scan. Based on this foresight study, five strategic themes have been identified for the next 15 years: the impact of technological developments, mental strain for workers, the autonomy of workers, lifelong learning, and the accumulation of risks among vulnerable groups of workers. TNO also conducts foresight studies on the themes of lifelong learning, an inclusive labour market and human-centered technology.

Technology Impact Method

The Technology Impact Method (TIM) is an example of a tool that has been developed to assess the impact of specific technologies on work. The TIM provides insights into changes in work at both individual and organisational levels. To make it more practical, we use certain jobs or work processes as a starting point and focus on to the next 5 to 10 years. What technological applications will become available? What does this technology mean for employees’ tasks and the quality of work? And how does it align with the competencies and needs of workers?

Join us!

Are you curious about how your sector is doing and what the future looks like? Do you want more in-depth information about major issues in your sector?