Abstract
What is of most importance to Dutch employees in their work environment? The Savills What Workers Want survey investigates what workers in the Netherlands consider important, what they are dissatisfied with, and thus, what landlords and tenants need to improve, in order to attract and retain talent in the workplace.
KEY FINDINGS
- Labour costs are currently rising faster than company turnover.
- It is not salary, but the workplace that employees consider to be most important. Investing in the workplace can help curb labour costs.
- The workplace is the number-one change priority for 69% of employees. Second and third on that list – manager and colleagues – lag a considerable way behind at 13% and 11% respectively.
- The Dutch are the most satisfied employees in Europe when it comes to their workplace, but there is still room for improvement.
- The main category ‘workplace’ can be divided into three subcategories: location (accounting for 13%), length of commute (18%) and the office itself (a towering 37%).
- Investing in the office itself has the greatest effect, as this represents a priority for 37% of employees.
- The other two main elements of length of commute and quality of location are important, but for most employees these are not a deal-breaker when looking for another job.
- In the office itself, employees expect basic conditions such as temperature and air quality to be up to standard. In addition, companies can score points with their employees by offering free food or providing a gym.
- Greenery in the workplace is also perceived as positive, but this is a relatively scarce commodity in today’s office environment.
- Any companies who move from London to Amsterdam can win over London-based employees who move with them by providing them with their own permanent workplace.
- Unlike their London counterparts, any Amsterdam staff who need to be recruited will tend to prefer hot desking.
- The ideal workplace does not exist, but by listening carefully to its employees and being receptive to improvements in the workplace, a company can put itself at a significant advantage in terms of retaining talent and encouraging staff loyalty.