Every summer, it takes adjustment and measurement to get schedules to work, but this year a lot coincides. We are dealing with a record number of job vacancies, absenteeism due to illness has been above average for several months and a large part of the country is now on vacation. The biggest danger is that the workload of the people who are there is so high that they also drop out of school and the gaps grow.

“Where it hurts now, is where the work pressure is really high and people are taking advantage of their right to take days off,” says Janis van der Velde of the Employers Association AWVN. “This causes the workload to increase, and as a result, the service can be reduced.”

An example is having to order your drink at the bar on the balcony. “This has been out of the question in the past,” says Rob Hodeman, MD, an occupational health physician at Minnesley and an expert in psychological absenteeism. According to him, in these times we also have to look for practical solutions of this kind.

“Like hybrid work where possible. This is effective. We have to abandon the old standards, because this is necessary this summer.” Many stores choose to limit opening hours, while cafes and restaurants open less often, and hotels offer fewer rooms. A company like NS allows fewer trains to operate, and Schiphol allows fewer passengers to travel per day.

Allow employees to set their own schedule

Closing the doors completely is also an option in some sectors. “Some factories are opting to shut down completely for a few weeks,” says AWVN’s van der Velde.

The construction sector is a classic example with the mass construction sector. “In this case, it’s a good idea for everyone to go on vacation at the same time. People with school-age children also want to leave during the same period and that makes sense.”

The UWV is also aware of the problems of extreme distress in the workplace. According to the Benefits Agency, which keeps figures on the number of vacancies and the unemployed, the labor market is getting tighter and narrower. She also sees signs that the workload is increasing more among those who work.

This means that companies have to choose. “You have to look at what can and can’t be affected,” says company doctor Hoedeman. Setting priorities.

AWVN and Hoedeman both advocate allowing people to set their own schedule as much as possible. “It takes the pressure off because you can organize your own time more. And then I think we can get through this summer too.”