This weekend, the newspapers were again full of talks about the workforce in the Netherlands. If we want to save the economy, we all have to work more. It is scandalous that the new generations do not want to work more than 36 hours. And older people had better work a bit longer too. At the same time, it appeals to our moral ambition.
Most of all, I am left with many questions. For why is working harder a goal and the only remedy of a growth that is also not necessarily blissful? Where will it end if we have an even bigger labour shortage in 2038 than we have now?
Mind you, I love working, do so (too) much, have great ambition and, fortunately, work in which I can use my talent. But I think living is more important than working. I get happy being around people, walking outside and enjoying the blossom or reading a book. Can’t we start looking at work differently? Rearrange our economy where it is not just about hours worked? Technology is part of the solution. As far as I am concerned, we should also take a look at how we can redefine our work. Working from added values.
