UWV is conducting research into the work culture, the benefits agency confirmed after questions from EenToday and this site. Consulting firm KPMG conducted the research after publications about a toxic work culture earlier this year.
Julia Bokdam, John van den Oetelaar
Doctors at UWV process applications for benefits such as WIA, the law that regulates that you receive benefits if you become incapacitated for work. But enormous backlogs put a lot of pressure on doctors, and this, Novag believes, can be at the expense of training.
Doctors cannot simply leave UWV, because they then risk a fine that can amount to many tens of thousands of euros.
Minister concerned about culture of fear
Minister Hans Vijlbrief of Social Affairs and Employment said in a response that he was ‘very concerned’ about the culture of fear: “I take these signals very seriously. We also immediately contacted UWV about this.” After the reports, he also urged UWV to investigate.
The UWV stated in a response that it ‘considers a safe working environment extremely important’. “We therefore take signals about an unsafe working environment very seriously.” This has now led to an investigation by KPMG. In any case, employees from the Amsterdam region will be interviewed during this investigation, but also employees from a number of other regions. It is not known what the further investigation will look like and when it will be completed.
Turbulent period
In the meantime, the Registration Committee for Medical Specialists (RGS) is keeping a close eye on UWV. RGS is about the recognition of the training at UWV, and this has been under pressure for several years. UWV has been under increased supervision for a year now. And while UWV is struggling with a chronic shortage of insurance doctors. All in all a dramatic situation, said former Novag chairman Wim van Pelt in an interview with this site and EenToday.
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