3.3 Employment
PostNL Workforce number of employees
2019 - 2023
| Year ended at 31 December | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headcount at year end (scope of non-financial reporting) | 35,721 | 40,541 | 37,365 | 35,647 | 33,488 |
| Fulltime equivalents year average (scope of non-financial reporting) | 20,528 | 22,304 | 21,964 | 21,715 | 20,851 |
The total workforce of PostNL decreased by 6% in 2023, while the number of FTEs decreased by 4%. The decrease of our workforce relates to volume decline and cost saving initiatives at Mail in the Netherlands. The main challenge in 2023 was to attract suitable people in an extremely tight labour market, particularly for delivery at Mail in the Netherlands to fill structural vacancies.
Across our main networks, specific collective labour agreements (CLA) are in place for all employees. Other (smaller) entities may have different arrangements on collective labour. Based on the full coverage of all employees within our largest networks, over 95% of all PostNL employees are covered by CLAs.
The data used to compile the employment overviews are extracted from our human resources (HR) systems. Headcount by gender is reported based on actual figures for all reporting entities. New hires and turnover is based on the figures for the entities included in our main HR system. This includes over 95% of our headcount. The other 5% is extrapolated for the other, smaller entities.
Because PostNL's workforce is mainly based in the Netherlands, a break down by region as suggested by GRI would not provide additional insights compared to the total workforce and is not included in our reporting. For the breakdown by network we refer to the 'Financial Statements' chapter.
PostNL Workforce by gender number of employees
2019 - 2023
| Year ended at 31 December | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 19,299 | 18,432 | 20,625 | 19,433 | 18,834 |
| Female | 18,486 | 17,289 | 19,916 | 17,932 | 16,813 |
| Headcount at start of the year | 37,785 | 35,721 | 40,541 | 37,365 | 35,647 |
| Male | 5,359 | 7,773 | 5,479 | 4,512 | 4,855 |
| Female | 4,154 | 7,667 | 4,509 | 3,354 | 2,807 |
| New hires | 9,513 | 15,440 | 9,988 | 7,866 | 7,662 |
| Male | 6,226 | 5,580 | 6,671 | 5,111 | 5,512 |
| Female | 5,351 | 5,040 | 6,493 | 4,473 | 4,309 |
| Turnover | 11,577 | 10,620 | 13,164 | 9,584 | 9,821 |
| Male | 18,432 | 20,625 | 19,433 | 18,834 | 18,177 |
| Female | 17,289 | 19,916 | 17,932 | 16,813 | 15,311 |
| Headcount at 31 December | 35,721 | 40,541 | 37,365 | 35,647 | 33,488 |
PostNL Workforce by other dimensions number of employees
2019 - 2023
| Year ended at 31 December | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of males with a temporary contract | not reported | not reported | not reported | 2,761 | 2,239 |
| Number of females with a temporary contract | not reported | not reported | not reported | 2,365 | 1,507 |
| Total number of employees with a temporary contract | not reported | not reported | not reported | 5,126 | 3,746 |
| Number of males with a permanent contract | not reported | not reported | not reported | 16,073 | 15,938 |
| Number of females with a permanent contract | not reported | not reported | not reported | 14,448 | 13,804 |
| Total number of employees with a permanent contract | not reported | not reported | not reported | 30,521 | 29,742 |
| Number of full-time working males | not reported | not reported | not reported | 7,080 | 6,806 |
| Number of full-time working females | not reported | not reported | not reported | 1,636 | 1,630 |
| Total number of employees with a full-time contract | not reported | not reported | not reported | 8,716 | 8,436 |
| Number of part-time working males | not reported | not reported | not reported | 11,754 | 11,371 |
| Number of part-time working females | not reported | not reported | not reported | 15,177 | 13,681 |
| Total number of employees with a part-time contract | not reported | not reported | not reported | 26,931 | 25,052 |
PostNL New hires number / percentage of employees
2019 - 2023
| Year ended at 31 December | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 30 years | 4,551 | 6,055 | 4,587 | 3,721 | 3,967 |
| 30 - 50 years | 2,842 | 4,439 | 3,232 | 2,464 | 2,296 |
| > 50 years | 2,120 | 4,946 | 2,169 | 1,681 | 1,399 |
| Total by age group | 9,513 | 15,440 | 9,988 | 7,866 | 7,662 |
| Male (share of total headcount) | 28% | 42% | 27% | 23% | 26% |
| Female (share of total headcount) | 22% | 44% | 23% | 19% | 17% |
| Total (share of total headcount) | 25% | 43% | 25% | 21% | 21% |
More information about developments in our workforce and examples of improvement initiatives can be found in the 'Social value, section Workforce optimisation and capacity building' chapter.
PostNL Turnover number / percentage of employees
2019 - 2023
| Year ended at 31 December | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 30 years | 4,696 | 4,170 | 5,225 | 3,683 | 3,646 |
| 30 - 50 years | 3,417 | 2,807 | 3,528 | 2,745 | 2,738 |
| > 50 years | 3,464 | 3,643 | 4,411 | 3,156 | 3,437 |
| Total by age group | 11,577 | 10,620 | 13,164 | 9,584 | 9,821 |
| Male (share of total headcount) | 32% | 30% | 32% | 26% | 29% |
| Female (share of total headcount) | 29% | 29% | 33% | 25% | 26% |
| Total (share of total headcount) | 31% | 30% | 32% | 26% | 28% |
| Total voluntary turnover | 18% | 17% | 19% | 17% | 16% |
Despite our efforts to retain employees, such as offering a permanent contract to parcel deliverers, mail deliverers and temporary workers, we saw an increase in the turnover rate in 2023 (28%) compared to 2022 (26%).
Due to the operational nature of many of the jobs across PostNL, we employ a relatively high percentage of part-time and seasonal employees, which means our turnover rate is high compared to other sectors.
More information on this topic can be found in the 'Social value' chapter.