Employees

The first employees are male office clerks who look after administration. For most of our predecessors it takes years before they hire more staff. For example, the Hollandsche Societeit, founded in 1807, only hire its first employee in 1826. Only the number of insurance agents in the field are growing, with an agency in almost every city. Gradually more people are employed, the number of positions expand, departments form, and the first women are employed.

The insurance companies at the beginning of the 20th century are so-called policy factories. Data have to be collated, written by hand or typewriter. Hundreds of men and women work in offices with a strong hierarchy; chiefs often sit on a higher level so they can oversee staff.

From the 1960s things begin to change, with more democracy and consultation with staff who have more influence. More and more women begin to work in the insurance offices, that had once been a man’s world.  

If we look at employee photographs from the Historical Collection, we do not see many differences compared with today. Of course, they dress differently and the offices look different. But we can see how people connected in very similar ways to us today, on the work floor, or at parties and staff association activities. We see lots of fun and solidarity.  

Do you take photos of your daily work or at parties?