Flexibility makes for a happy Dutch worker

Working an average of 33 hours a week, the lowest in the EU, compared with latest EU entrant Bulgaria which averages 41.6 hours, Dutch workers are also -- according to a May study by market researcher FDS International -- among the world's least whiny.

Annelies feels her efficiency may be even better now.

"Productivity and efficiency are a little bit higher. Of course, you will have more to do, you have more deadlines in a short time," she said.

BOOM IN PART-TIME WORK

With companies finding more flexibility in hiring and firing workers, baby boomers putting their families first, and with an ageing population economists see growing demand for flexible workers.

"The vast majority of women in the Netherlands work part-time. They want to combine work with looking after their children and parents," said economist Michiel Vergeer at Statistics Netherlands.

The social stigma that used to be attached to part-time or temporary work has also gone.

"A lot of people work part-time. It is very desired because it means you have enough family income. It is really seen as a luxury," said University of Amsterdam researcher and part-time lecturer Hester Houwing.

For supermarket group Albert Heijn, the country's largest, which employs a high percentage of part-time and temporary workers, flexible employees keep its stores open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or even up to 10 p.m. for some outlets.

"It is what we need, and we see that employees like the flexibility, they can work in the morning or in the afternoon," said spokeswoman Els van Dijk.