12 June 2026

The Faculty of Humanities has drawn up a faculty-wide action plan on psychosocial workload (PSA). This plan is based on the findings of the 2025 Work Experience Survey (WBO) and the 2025 RI&E (Risk Inventory and Evaluation)on Psychosocial Workload, and was developed in collaboration with the Work-Life Balance Advisory Group. The plan focuses on promoting a healthy work-life balance and a socially safe working environment. 

Why this plan?

The WBO 2025 and the RI&E indicate that ongoing attention is required for issues including work pressure, communication, career development and social safety. At the same time, following a visit in March 2026, the Dutch Labour Inspectorate indicated that, in this context, the university generally has its affairs in order, which serves both as confirmation and as an incentive to implement further improvements.

Key themes and measures

The plan sets out a coherent package of measures centred on six key themes:

1. Leadership

The focus is on the further development of leadership, not only for managers but for all staff, including through training, peer review and a focus on personal leadership.

2. Workload

To reduce the perceived workload, work is being done on:

•    clear division of tasks and standardisation;

•    more efficient organisation of teaching duties;

•    better organisation of administrative duties.

3. Future prospects and strategy

Staff are involved in the development and refinement of strategic plans, to strengthen the understanding of and confidence in the faculty’s direction.

4. Communication and provision of information

Extra attention will be paid to clear communication and the accessibility of policies, processes and information.

5. Development opportunities

The faculty is committed to clear and diverse career prospects, with a focus on:

•    different career paths;

•    opportunities for horizontal development;

•    a better balance between duties and personal interests and talents.

6. Social safety

Social safety remains a key priority, achieved through measures such as:

•    regular updates on policies and procedures;

•    encouraging open discussion of social safety within teams;

•    training sessions focused on respectful conduct and dealing with inappropriate behaviour.

Within these themes, measures are being taken that contribute to clear frameworks, a more balanced distribution of work, staff engagement and an open and respectful organisational culture.

Follow-up and implementation

The measures will be implemented at faculty level in the coming years. Progress will be monitored annually and reported in the Health and Safety Annual Report and Health and Safety Annual Plan.