Do you work more than 35 hours a week? More and more people, especially in their twenties, don’t want to do this, as the Dutch Statistical Institute (CBS) found in a survey of graduates today. Graduates are increasingly choosing to work part-time. And it’s striking: In the years after graduation, women, on average, work less rather than more.
NOS asked NOS on 3 followers on Instagram how they view full-time work. It often sounds “old-fashioned”. “Not all ‘housework’ fits into a full-time job and taking care of babies and dogs,” says Fay Geurts. But there are even more reasons for her to work part-time: “The workload is so high that I need a day to myself because I am always available.” Then he goes for a walk or a bike ride, for example. “Into nature.”
“Do fun things too”
People in their thirties like Renée Schmeetz (38) also see the benefits of working less. “I think it’s embarrassing to waste so much time on work,” she sums up. “I was working full time before. But I realized that on the weekends I am busy with all the practical things, like cleaning, for example. I want to have fun too.”
Schmeetz is a copywriter. Intentionally working fewer hours as of this month. Her boyfriend also works part time. “I calculated how it would end. With fixed costs, things are going well. I also created a buffer by working full time. I’ll look further in a few months.”
Mara Yerkes, Professor of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences at Utrecht University, explores part-time work:
Imme Visser works 28 hours a week: “It’s okay for me. The most hours I have ever worked as an employee.” Visser is 33 years old and has no children from his partner. She also works part time 32 hours a week.
Food, which has become more expensive due to inflation and high rents, is playing tricks on them. “I can’t do everything I want. But I no longer work for it.”
In the nine years after graduation, women simply work less and men work more. It’s not always because they want it, according to responses to the NOS call on March 3.
Bram Feenstra, in the 40-hour 24-hour workweek, said, “I want to go up to 36 hours in four days. Unfortunately, given the cost of grocery shopping, I don’t have a financial option to cut down on hours,” she says. “But more hours can’t keep her away from her boss, so I have to keep working 40 hours.”
Lecturer Khuyen Quinn notes that as a lecturer, she can barely pay the bills despite a full-time work week. “I have been absent for a few months this year. I would consider working less, spending more time, and then qualifying for maintenance and rent benefits. But that doesn’t work either because I’m in the free rental business. That’s why I’m stuck.
Many people work less to have more free time. But according to 29-year-old Nena, even if you work full time, you still have enough free time. “These hours leave ample time for private appointments, chores, sports and rest. I think this generation really needs to work a little harder because it’s good for the economy and the job market. 36 hours can definitely be done with electricity.”
Source: NOS
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
