The number of people whose main job is zzp work has fallen by about 131,000 from the end-2024 peak. More than half of those leaving found paid work within three months, often in another sector or occupation. This is changing the hiring pool while the labor market remains tight.
Why this matters
Former zzp workers may bring customer knowledge and sound judgment. They may want different hours, steadier income, or more room to decide than a vacancy allows. Many switch sectors or occupations. They may need training, certification, or closer support. Payroll brings leave, sickness, pension costs where applicable, and management time. Active enforcement also means the contract must match the work on the floor.
Example
A transport firm interviews a former zzp worker who knows its customers and handles assignments alone. This vacancy has fixed shifts, direct supervision, and a monthly wage. The candidate may need a license update and help with internal planning. Compare full payroll cost with contractor invoices, repeat onboarding, and revenue lost when a shift stays empty. The firm may need to redesign the role rather than replace the contractor directly.
XTROVERSO tips
- Start with the work. List the results, hours, decisions, skills, and customer duties the role requires. Do not turn an old contractor assignment straight into a vacancy.
- Check the real working relationship. Review supervision, fixed schedules, personal performance, rate-setting, and commercial risk. The contract, invoices, planning records, and daily practice should agree.
- Calculate dependable capacity. Compare wages, employer charges, leave, sickness, training, supervision, and replacement cover with the full cost of external hiring.
- Plan for a sector change. Check licenses, qualifications, systems knowledge, and onboarding needs. Experience can transfer, but sector routines may take time.
- Review staffing every month. Track open roles, contractor dependence, overtime, absence, payroll cost, and labor cost against revenue. This shows pressure before it affects cash or customers.
Want to check whether your vacancies, contracts, and staffing costs fit the work your company needs?
The data, sourcing, and analysis behind this article were conducted by Linda Pavan. AI was not used to identify sources, build the factual basis, or produce the analytical judgment contained here. AI was used only as a drafting aid. The final English text was personally reviewed, edited, and approved by Linda Pavan before publication.
References
- Veel oud-zelfstandigen gaan werken in andere sector, stelt DNB
- De Nederlandsche Bank - Former self-employed workers' destination after exit
- Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek - Latest observed fall in zzp work and employee labour-market mix
- Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek - Flexibility after the zzp decline
- Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek - Current labour-market pressure and hiring capacity
- UWV - Sector destinations and medium-term employment demand
- Belastingdienst - Enforcement exposure where zzp work resembles employment
- Rijksoverheid - Policy uncertainty and proposed future zzp framework
