Workers are bearing the brunt of the economic crisis, with half feeling pressurized at work and 40% worrying they may lose their job, according to research by the FNV trade union federation.

In addition, 30% say their bosses do not appreciate them and 40% have no faith in their companies. Some 13,000 people took part in the online poll.

FNV director Mariëtte Patijn told the AD the results are shocking and that many employers are negligent in their duties.

Signal

Carel Hulshof, professor in work-related illnesses at Amstedam’s AMC teaching hospital, said the results are a ‘clear signal’.

‘The pressure of work is high at times of crisis. I hear this from company doctors and family practitioners,’ he said. ‘The same work is being done with fewer people. We feel under pressure to increase production and permanent jobs are under threat.’

This means people’s private and working lives are becoming more entangled ‘and that costs you the time you need to recover,’ Hulshof told the AD.