World · Europe · 11 hrs ago
Nearly half of Dutch home workers say more office days would cause problems
A survey of more than 3,000 FNV union members in the Netherlands found that 47% would struggle if required to go to the office more often.
Home working helps respondents balance their jobs with childcare, caring for relatives and other responsibilities.
A quarter said they might consider another job if their employer required more office attendance.
Their main concerns were lower productivity, longer commutes and harm to their health or happiness.
More Dutch collective labour agreements now include home-working arrangements: 38% of new agreements in 2026, up from 14% in 2019.
Many large companies have adopted hybrid work, usually asking employees to come in two or three days a week, while none of 25 companies surveyed required full-time office work.
Employers cannot always end long-standing home-working arrangements unilaterally, and may need good reasons to change them; the survey does not say what employers will do next.
A survey of more than 3,000 FNV members found that 47% of respondents who work from home say they would face difficulties if required to spend more days in the office.
One quarter said they would consider another job if their employer required more office attendance.
The main concerns about going to the office more often were lower productivity, more travel time, and negative effects on health and happiness.
Many surveyed workers said working from home helps them combine their jobs with childcare, care for relatives, and other responsibilities.
Employers surveyed by Nieuwsuur generally support hybrid work, with most wanting staff in the office two or three days a week.
- Who
- More than 3,000 FNV members who work from home responded to the survey. Employers are also considering or setting office-attendance requirements.
- What
- Nearly half of surveyed home workers said more required office days would cause problems.
- When
- The article was published on 9 November 2026.
- Where
- The survey concerned workers and employers in the Netherlands.
- Why
- Workers cited concerns including lower productivity, longer travel time, and effects on health and happiness.
Home workers
Employers requiring more office attendance
Office attendance
Home workers
47% of surveyed respondents said they would face difficulties if required to come in more often.
Employers requiring more office attendance
Many large employers want staff to work at the office two or three days a week.
Working from home
Home workers
Respondents said home working helps them combine work with care responsibilities; one quarter would consider another job if attendance requirements increased.
Employers requiring more office attendance
Employers cited the value of office work for collaboration, innovation, development, and social connection.
Working-from-home arrangements appeared in 14% of newly concluded collective labour agreements.
Working-from-home arrangements appeared in 38% of newly concluded collective labour agreements.
Large companies including ABN Amro, Booking.com and Vodafone were reported to be tightening their work-from-home policies.
NOS published findings from the survey of FNV members.
- Survey respondents
- More than 3,000 FNV members
- Would face problems
- 47% if required to work at the office more often
- Would consider another job
- 25% if employers required more office attendance
- Main concern
- 65% feared productivity would fall
- Collective agreements
- Working-from-home arrangements featured in 38% of new agreements in 2026
What people are saying
The strength of office work lies mainly in collaboration, innovation, development and social connection. The strength of working from home lies in flexibility, concentration and a good work-life balance.
We see no reason to work with an attendance requirement. The experiences with hybrid working are positive.
You see that labour market shortages and the war on talent mean employers want to remain attractive. And working from home is part of that nowadays.