It is increasingly common these days to encounter international colleagues in the workplace. 1 out of 12 online job postings in the Netherlands is already non-Dutch-speaking; for Amsterdam even 1 out of 4. With an aging population and continued tightness in the labor market, this trend is expected to continue. Director Sabine shares her insights and expectations on the impact of internationalization in the financial sector.
"The teams at our clients today are a lot more international than five years ago. Companies that are already used to communicating in English are seeing accelerated internationalization within their organizations," Sabine explains. This increase in hiring international employees is largely explained by the tight labor market we have been facing for several years. "
Indeed research shows that 57% of Dutch employers cite labor shortage as the main reason for hiring foreign workers.
"There is a big difference between multinationals and SMEs," Sabine continues. "English is already spoken at most large banks, partly because of their international focus and European regulations. At the same time, many financial sector organizations that focus on the Dutch market retain a Dutch corporate culture, where Dutch is the primary language of communication. They are often not yet prepared for the arrival of expats. For many employees, it is a challenge to have meetings or send emails in English."
Sabine notes that it is therefore logical that these companies are less attractive to employees who enjoy working in an international environment. "They are more likely to choose multinational companies, for example on the Zuidas."
Yet even these smaller companies are beginning to recognize that the current labor climate calls for a broader recruitment approach. "More and more Dutch organizations are willing to look beyond national borders," says Sabine .
Sabine sees several factors contributing to the internationalization of the workplace. "Trends usually don't just happen, but are a product of their time," she explains. "In the 2000s, outsourcing was on the rise. Many companies later backtracked on this because of the inefficiencies. Despite low wages, it didn't turn out to be cheaper in the end."
She notes that today several factors are converging. "Besides the tight labor market, we also see a broader internationalization in society. Our daily life is becoming increasingly English-oriented, the demand for diversity is growing, and with it the importance of a diverse, inclusive workplace. Scientific research also shows that diverse teams perform better because different perspectives lead to more creative and effective solutions. "
'The arrival of international employees also brings challenges, Sabine notes."It starts already during the recruitment process, with extra paperwork and legal bumps. And once the employee starts, it's important that he or she connects with the rest of the team. "
Sabine emphasizes that cultural differences and integration are important concerns for organizations. In this blog , she shares practical tips on dealing with cultural differences within teams.
*The original article was published in 2022 and revised and updated in 2024.