Fresh and healthy? : Well‐being, health and performance of young employees with intermediate education

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain more insight into the well‐being, health and performance of young intermediate educated employees. First, employees with low education (9 years or less), intermediate education (10‐14 years of education), and high education (15 years or more) are compared on a number of factors related to well‐being, health, and performance at work. Second, determinants of well‐being, health and performance are examined for the intermediate educated group, based on the Job Demands‐Resources model. Design/methodology/approach – Data from The Netherlands Working Conditions Survey 2007 are used: the largest working conditions survey in The Netherlands. ANOVAs with post hoc Bonferroni corrections and linear regression analyses are used for the analyses. Findings – Young intermediate educated employees differ from high educated employees with regard to job demands, job resources and health. They report less demands, but these demands still have an effect on well‐being and performance. They also report less resources, while these resources are important predictors of their health and performance: both directly and indirectly via job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion. Limitations/implications – Cross‐sectional data are used and the theoretical model is tested using regression analyses. In a follow‐up study, longitudinal data and structural equation modelling will be used. Originality/value – The study adds to the limited knowledge on young employees with intermediate education and gives insight into the processes that are important for their well‐being, health, and performance. The study shows that this group deserves the attention of both researchers and professionals.