Same employer for more than nine years

In 2001, employees in the Netherlands had been with their current employer for an average nine years. Men stay with the same employer for considerably longer than women. Below age 35, however, men and women have the same period with the samee employer.

Average number of years with same employer, employed labour force

Slightly shorter period with same employer than in 1997

In 2001, employees (with a job of at least twelve hours a week) had worked for the same employer for nine years and two months on average; this was three months less than in 1997. One explanation for this was the tight labour market in recent years which resulted in more people switching jobs.

Half of employees in present job less than five years

In 2001 more than 1.1 million people had been with their present employer for less than a year, and 2.2 million for between one and five years. Nearly half of the employed labour force, therefore, had worked for their current employer for less than five years. On the other hand just over 1.1 million people had been with the same employer for longer than twenty years.

Labour force by period with the same employer, 2001

Men stay in a job for longer than women

Men had stayed with their present employer for considerably longer than women. In 2001 men had worked for their present employer for an average ten years and five months, women for seven years and three months.

Period of employment by sex and age, 2001

Young women stay in a job just as long as young men

The average period with the present employer was nearly the same for men and women under 35 years of age. Men aged 45 and older had been with their present employer for much longer than women of the same age, though, nearly six years more. Many women aged 45 and older gave up work for a time to look after their children, and had therefore worked for their present employer for a shorter period.

Mariëlle Reemers