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Employers’ views on the crisis

Original title: Werkgevers over de crisis.

Unemployment rose less than expected during the recent crisis, and was also lower than in previous recessions. That is surprising, because this latest crisis was actually many times greater in its severity than its predecessors. One explanation frequently put forward is that employers took different personnel measures this time around. For example, it is suggested that they kept on surplus workers more often (labour hoarding) because they expected to face staff shortages in the near future. 

Among other things, this report investigates whether employers did indeed adopt a different strategy with regard to their workforce during the recent crisis. The analysis is based on the initial outcomes of a survey carried out in 2009/2010. The data are drawn from a long-running employers' panel survey, administration of which was recently assumed by SCP.

Edith Josten is a researcher in the Labour, Income and Social Security Research Group at SCP. Her research interest is in developments on the labour market.