Labour Inspectorate finds too much unnecessary night work
Many employers fail to adequately identify health risks, while 1.2 million people sometimes or regularly work at night.
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Employers regularly use night work for economic reasons, while workers are insufficiently protected against the health risks. That is the conclusion of the Netherlands Labour Inspectorate following a study of 285 employers in sectors including transport, distribution, industry, healthcare and hospitality.
At 58 companies examined, the Labour Inspectorate took enforcement action over shortcomings in occupational health and safety arrangements, breaches of the Working Hours Act or a combination of the two. The study combined 193 visits under the Occupational Health and Safety at Work programme with 92 inspections into compliance with occupational health and safety and working-hours rules.
According to the inspectorate, economic considerations were the main factor in the use of night work for 46 per cent of employers. Production targets and serving customers were among the reasons cited. At 41 per cent, employers said night work was necessary because of the nature of the work, for example in healthcare, the police or production processes that cannot easily be halted.
The inspectorate considers the difference between the two motives important. Night work cannot be avoided everywhere, but according to the regulator it is also chosen where other options exist. At 20 per cent of the employers visited, people worked permanently at night, whereas according to the Labour Inspectorate this is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
Preparation for the risks is also inadequate. At 54 per cent of the employers inspected, night work was not listed as a separate risk in the risk inventory and evaluation. At 69 per cent, the action plan lacked concrete measures to limit the risks.
Information does not always reach workers either. Although 63 per cent of employers said they informed workers about the health risks of night work, only half of the workers interviewed said they had actually received that information. The inspectorate warns that workers may therefore have insufficient insight into the possible consequences for their health and safety.
Around 1.2 million people in the Netherlands sometimes or regularly work at night. The Labour Inspectorate points to disruption of the body clock, an increased risk of sleep problems, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Fatigue and reduced alertness can also increase the likelihood of workplace accidents, particularly in sectors such as transport and distribution.
The inspectorate says that the benefits of night work mainly accrue to companies and their customers, while workers bear the health risks and some of the social costs fall elsewhere. Employers remain responsible for organising work safely; according to the inspectorate, night work cannot be avoided everywhere.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Labour Inspectorate examined 285 employers in sectors with a high level of night work.
- At 58 companies, breaches or shortcomings were identified that led to enforcement action.
- For some employers, night work was economically motivated according to the inspectorate; for others, it was linked to the nature of the work.
- The inspectorate found shortcomings in risk assessments, measures and information provision.
Left
Arguments Night work should be limited as far as possible when it mainly serves production, profit or customer convenience. Employers should protect workers better and should not leave the social costs to them or the public health system.
Values Health, worker protection and a fair distribution of costs.
Consequences Stricter rules or enforcement could increase companies’ organisational burdens and costs, but could reduce health problems and accidents.
Centre
Arguments Night work is necessary in some sectors and cannot be addressed with a blanket ban. The institutional solution lies in better risk assessments, demonstrable measures and targeted enforcement against employers who fail to comply with the rules.
Values Proportionality, practicality and protection within existing institutions.
Consequences Employers retain room to operate where night work is necessary, while unnecessary night work and inadequate preparation can be tackled more effectively.
Right
Arguments Companies and customers need flexible production and services; too many new obligations could damage competitiveness and availability. The emphasis should be on personal responsibility and enforcement of clear existing rules.
Values Economic freedom, choice and limited regulatory pressure.
Consequences A heavy restriction on night work could lead to higher prices, fewer services or the relocation of activities; targeted enforcement remains defensible.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core claims, figures and percentages correspond to the current source. Health risks are presented as findings by the Labour Inspectorate, without medical advice to individual readers.
- confirmed The Labour Inspectorate examined 285 employers. — The source mentions 285 employers in several sectors. source
- confirmed Enforcement action was taken at 58 companies. — This is stated in the summary of the inspection study. source
- confirmed Economic considerations were the main factor for 46 per cent. — The source explicitly cites this percentage. source
- confirmed Around 1.2 million people sometimes or regularly work at night. — This figure appears in the source. source
Editor's note
This current publication summarises research by the Netherlands Labour Inspectorate. The findings and percentages can be checked against the source; the full primary inspection publication was not directly available.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „nachtwerk arbeidsinspectie”
- de Volkskrant — „nachtwerk arbeidsinspectie”
- RTL Nieuws — „nachtwerk arbeidsinspectie”