Article InZaken – October 2023

With about thirteen years of experience in the staffing industry and the deployment of international professionals, N2 People has a large European network with its own offices in several EU countries. Diversity is in the office’s DNA. Not only in the workplace but also at the headquarters, people work together with multiple nationalities. In recruitment, ‘on the front end,’ N2 People traditionally invests above-average time. But there is more to do. And that is not immediately visible. For instance, they provide housing for international employees, including maintenance and cleaning. N2 People considers this so important for themselves and for others that they have established this business unit as an independent company: N2 Facility.

N2 People aims for sustainable growth, with a focus on people – and especially their development. They want to make not only the professionals on the work floor but also their own organization as happy as possible. The human aspect is important, if not leading, for N2 People, which currently employs around six hundred professionals, divided into three disciplines: Logistics-Production, Automotive, and Technology.

Positive Contribution

About 95 percent of them are housed by N2 People itself. By N2 Facility, to be precise, of which Martin van den Munckhof is the director. This also includes the directorship of the recently introduced Training Academy Uden, the internal training facility. This academy also provides training on location in the Land van Cuijk. Training Academy Uden is committed to making a positive contribution to the local community and labor market. By investing in training, housing, and support for their employees, N2 People creates an environment where people can grow and excel.

“This way, we can provide clients with well-trained, motivated, and satisfied employees,” says Martin van den Munckhof. “In that respect, we see our work as support in a career cycle. Someone comes to us, develops, and after a few years, they settle here and move on. And if this person decides to return to their home country, they will have many more opportunities there as well.”

Respect for the Living Environment

Regarding housing: “We are a flexible staffing agency. Today we have six hundred people working; tomorrow maybe fifty more or less. So we have to adapt the number of ‘beds’ accordingly. Every vacant bed costs money. Through forecasting (what does the client do, when is the holiday season, when is the peak?), we try to predict demand as accurately as possible. This is not only about renting houses; we also rent houses to colleague parties.”

“We have two caretakers who visit our houses every week. They check whether waste is disposed of properly, if any lights are broken, and if everything is running smoothly. Then there is the Technical Service for larger maintenance and repairs. As soon as our employees arrive, we explain what we expect from them in using the housing. Think about separating waste, keeping the garden tidy. We make it clear that these workers are more than just guests. There are cultural differences, so we don’t expect them to act exactly as we do, but we do ask for respect for the living environment we provide. Training Academy Uden will offer an introductory training for this.”

On the Same Page

Martin van den Munckhof continues: “We want international professionals to feel at home here. If they are on the same page as their housemates, they live much more comfortably. And that’s what it’s about: because their accommodation is often their home base for a longer period. That’s why N2 People only wants housing where you and I could also live and want to live. We meet the SNF standards of the Foundation for Standardization of Flexible Housing regarding the housing of labor migrants.”

This is also part of being well-prepared for the work they will do, the director notes. “Ultimately, that’s best for all parties involved. Entrepreneurs who work with us also have no benefit if their international employees are not feeling well or need to be replaced quickly. We are proud of the right guidance and good housing for our employees. When we rent houses, we usually first upgrade them so that people can live comfortably. Housing is generally located in the center of a town, making it easier for employees to integrate.”

Facilitating Employees

In addition to this guidance, another focus is on facilitating the employee. This is how the organization works towards the desired longer ‘average length of stay.’ “With N2 Facility, we also arrange professional transportation. We like to house as close to the work as possible. For commuting up to eight kilometers, our employees receive a bike; for eight to fifteen kilometers, an e-bike. Or we transport them with vans or provide them with a car. Currently, we have about a hundred cars, eight taxi buses, around a hundred e-bikes, and another hundred bicycles. Recruiting professionals is one thing, but what lies behind it also requires a lot of work. It’s good to mention that there is movement in the housing market again. This gives us more room to work.”

N2 People holds the ABU certificate (the largest industry association for staffing organizations in the Netherlands) and the NEN certificate. The NEN 4400-1 standard sets requirements for lenders and subcontractors based in the Netherlands and for being entitled to perform work in the Netherlands. Furthermore, all housing is SNF certified.