IT driven reorganization at Dutch Tax Authorities demands highly educated personnel

Reorganizations take place at many companies, but few are so readily clarified as the one currently awaiting the Dutch Tax Authorities. After the news was leaked to the media, state secretary Wiebes is reported saying that the necessary organizational investments in IT will lead to a change in tasks for a large number of employees – of which not all have the right experience or training.

He estimates that – on a total of 30,000 employees – 1,500 new employees with different skill sets are to be acquired and 5,000 are to leave, “no longer fitting the organization that the Dutch Tax Authorities are becoming”. The desired 1,500 new employees would possess university level qualifications or vocational training.

The goal of the reorganization is clear. Wiebes expects that staff will become more productive, that tax income will rise (as a result of more accurate tax assessments and audits), and ultimately, less personnel on payroll.

AW: From the reported statements it is not clear whether the 1,500 new employees would need to be educated in either tax or IT, or both. Finding job seekers with knowledge of and experience in both fields may prove to be difficult, which may mean that it could take a considerable amount of time to get the new employees up to speed. On the other hand, the situation may be a great opportunity for professionals with affinity for either field to knock on the door of the Dutch Tax Authorities.

Sources:

• http://www.nu.nl/economie/4051929/reorganisatie-belastingdienst-kost-vijfduizend-werknemers-baan.html
• http://www.nu.nl/politiek/4053382/kamer-achter-reorganisatie-belastingdienst.html
• http://www.nu.nl/economie/4052641/wiebes-betreurt-voortijdige-bekendmaking-reorganisatie-belastingdienst.html