Dutch employers are becoming increasingly strict about working from home and now expect employees to come into the office on specific days, according to new research by employers’ organisation AWVN.
The study, which surveyed 355 member companies, found that the informal approach to hybrid working that emerged after the pandemic is fading as organisations begin to set clearer rules and expectations.
AWVN, which advises companies on employment conditions and pay negotiations, said the findings reflect a growing desire to balance flexibility with team cohesion and company identity.
According to the survey, 78% of Dutch employers now require staff to be physically present in the office for a fixed number of days each week. In addition, 59% of companies either plan to increase or have already increased the number of in-office days for their employees.
The reasons behind this shift are primarily social rather than practical. Employers cited the need to preserve company culture, encourage teamwork, foster informal communication, and ensure smooth onboarding for new colleagues.
Many managers feel that these aspects of professional life are harder to maintain when employees spend most of their time working remotely.
Despite the push for more office attendance, remote work remains deeply embedded in Dutch professional culture. The survey revealed that 97% of employers still allow some of their staff to work from home or another location.
Meanwhile, 55% have adopted hybrid arrangements, allowing employees to split their time between home and the office. Both figures have remained stable compared to previous years, indicating that while employers are tightening rules, they are not abandoning flexible work altogether.
On average, full-time employees who work from home do so two days per week. Fridays continue to be the most popular homeworking day, followed by Wednesdays and Mondays, reflecting workers’ preference for long weekends or midweek flexibility.
The survey also highlighted an upward trend in financial support for home-based workers. A growing number of employers—79%, up from 70% last year—now offer a homeworking allowance to cover expenses such as utilities, internet, and workspace costs. Most pay the tax-free daily rate of €2.40, which is set by the Dutch tax authority.
AWVN noted that the balance between remote and office work is still evolving. While many companies are formalising hybrid policies, they are also learning how to maintain engagement and productivity across distributed teams.
The organisation suggested that successful hybrid work requires clear communication, trust, and shared goals between employers and employees.
As Dutch businesses redefine their post-pandemic work structures, the challenge lies in finding the right mix of flexibility and collaboration. For many, the return to the office is not a rejection of remote work but an effort to strengthen human connection in an increasingly digital workplace.