Women are still often offered part-time jobs, according to research by the SCP. Young people and people with a migration background are more likely to be offered a flexible contract. But due to the tightness in the labor market, this is slowly changing.
Which type of contract employers offer has to do with the expectations they have of employees. For example, employers think that women prefer part-time work because of care tasks. Flexible contracts would be particularly suitable for young people and employees with a migration background.
These expectations often do not match what employees want, according to the Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP). For example, not all women with a part-time job have it because of care tasks. In addition, the vast majority of employees, including young people, prefer a permanent contract.
The SCP does note that there is a change underway in the labor market. The shortage is now so great that employers are increasingly offering permanent contracts. In some sectors, such as home care and cleaning, employers are even changing the way they work to make this possible.
That means an opportunity for both groups, the SCP thinks: fewer shortages for employers and better working conditions for employees.