Inclusive employment has evolved in recent years from a social initiative into a key component of sustainable and forward-looking entrepreneurship. Organizations are becoming increasingly conscious of how they create opportunities for people in vulnerable positions in the labor market or those who require support. At the same time, inclusive employment requires more than just good intentions. It calls for a structural approach, clear decisions, and demonstrable results. More and more organizations want to structurally embed inclusive employment practices into their business operations. But how do you objectively demonstrate that social impact is more than just an ambition on paper? As an independent certifying body, Normec VRO assesses organizations based on the Social Entrepreneurship Performance Ladder (PSO) and makes social entrepreneurship measurable, demonstrable, and sustainably transparent.
Business Unit Director bij Normec VRO
Manager Certificering en Ontwikkeling bij PSO Nederland
Algemeen Directeur bij PSO Nederland
Inclusive employment has evolved in recent years from a social initiative into an important component of sustainable and forward-looking entrepreneurship. Organizations are becoming increasingly conscious of how they create opportunities for people in vulnerable positions in the labor market or those who require support. At the same time, inclusive employment requires more than just good intentions. It calls for a structural approach, clear decisions, and demonstrable results. More and more organizations want to structurally embed inclusive employment practices into their business operations. But how do you objectively demonstrate that social impact is more than just an ambition on paper? As an independent certifying body, Normec VRO assesses organizations based on the Social Entrepreneurship Performance Ladder (PSO) and makes social entrepreneurship measurable, demonstrable, and sustainably transparent.
The PSO is a nationally recognized certification mark through which organizations undergo an independent audit to assess their actual contribution to employment opportunities for people in a vulnerable position in the labor market. Based on fixed criteria and performance levels, the PSO not only highlights how many people from this target group an organization employs, but also how guidance, development, and retention are organized in practice.
Normec VRO sees its role as carefully and independently assessing organizations on how they demonstrate inclusive employment practices. We believe that PSO certification adds value above all when inclusive employment is a structural part of the organization and is reflected in policy, implementation, and results. In this article, Julisa Fereijra-Phelipa (Business Unit Director at Normec VRO), Tako Kampstra (Managing Director at PSO Netherlands), and Suzanne Coors (Certification and Development Manager at PSO Netherlands) share their perspectives on the value of high-quality auditing and the importance of the human element behind the data.
Creating an inclusive workplace requires more than just good intentions. Social impact only becomes meaningful when it is visible in daily practice—not just in policies or ambitions, but also in decisions, processes, and results. This is reflected in how employees are hired, supported, and retained, as well as in how socially responsible procurement is implemented within the organization.
The PSO systematically maps out these efforts. The tool reveals the contribution an organization makes to employment opportunities for people in a vulnerable labor market position, how inclusive employment practices are structured within the organization, and where further development is possible. For example, an organization can demonstrate that it not only hires employees from the PSO target group but also provides appropriate support, development opportunities, and sustainable placement within the organization.
As an independent inspection body, Normec VRO assesses whether the reported results and the organization’s structure align with the PSO’s requirements. This creates a thorough and verifiable picture of inclusivity in practice.
Tako Kampstra of PSO Netherlands puts this in the context of the current labor market: “There is a significant labor shortage in the Netherlands. You’d think that anyone who is somewhat further removed from the labor market should now be able to find a suitable, appropriate job more easily. Unfortunately, that’s not the case in practice. The certification is specifically intended to reward and recognize employers who do take that extra step to help someone with support needs find and keep a job.”
According to Julisa Fereijra-Phelipa, the strength of the PSO lies precisely in combining measurable results with a focus on the reality behind the numbers. “The value of the PSO lies in the combination of objective criteria and a broad perspective on social employment. This aligns well with Normec VRO’s Fair Labor vision. It’s not just about demonstrable results, but also about sustainable employability, equal opportunities, and the way in which socially responsible employment is structurally embedded within an organization.
As an independent certifying body, we look beyond mere numbers and paperwork. We assess whether inclusive employment practices are visible in practice, permeate the organization, and are sustainably embedded. It is precisely this independent assessment that makes the PSO valuable.”
Precisely because social entrepreneurship affects multiple aspects of an organization, the process requires a careful assessment. An independent audit helps look beyond an organization’s own assessment and reveals how inclusive employment is organized, implemented, and safeguarded in practice.
Tako Kampstra of PSO Netherlands emphasizes that this requires a conscious choice within the organization: “The PSO is a scientifically grounded certification and, as a result, can sometimes be complex—especially for larger employers. You cannot fully address that complexity with a self-assessment alone. It starts with a conscious decision at all levels within the organization to adopt a more socially responsible approach to business. If an organization wants to obtain the certification solely because a client or the market demands it—without intrinsic motivation—it’s important to first carefully assess whether the process is appropriate at that time. Ultimately, it’s about people for whom a sustainable and suitable workplace means a great deal.”
Suzanne Coors, on the other hand, observes that organizations that take the process seriously undergo a tremendous transformation: “We very often see that organizations that start the process gradually become incredibly enthusiastic. Once they’ve earned the certification, they truly feel the impact it has within the organization. That sense of pride on the work floor and the visible results of their efforts ultimately provide the very best motivation to sustain social entrepreneurship on a structural basis.”
A PSO audit isn’t just about what an organization has put in place on paper, but about how that plays out in practice. How do you get a clear picture of that? The strength of the assessment lies precisely in linking the quantitative results to day-to-day practice within the organization. This involves looking not only at recruitment but also at support, buy-in, culture, and the way in which social employment is sustainably organized.
Julisa Fereijra-Phelipa explains how Normec VRO’s auditors make a difference in this regard: “PSO certification requires more than just submitting documents. The qualitative aspect is just as important: how is social employment experienced in practice, and how is it embedded within the organization? Our experienced auditors therefore look beyond mere numbers and paperwork. They ask targeted questions, provide feedback to the organization, and shed light on the practices behind the data.
A good example of this emerged during an audit in which a company asked our auditor to pay extra attention to indicators related to employee satisfaction. Although this was not a formal part of the audit, it provided a valuable opportunity to engage in deeper conversations with employees. It was precisely these conversations that yielded insights not immediately apparent in reports or processes, but which proved important for the further development of social employment practices within the organization. By listening carefully, asking targeted questions, and understanding the reality behind the answers, a richer picture emerged of how socially responsible employment was experienced within the organization. The insights that emerged from this helped the organization continue to build toward the goals that the PSO stands for.”
Tako Kampstra also sees the added value of an on-site audit precisely in this combination of practical experience and independent assessment: “That is exactly the strength of an on-site audit: the auditor sees how social employment is organized in practice and can ask targeted follow-up questions. Organizations seeking certification are often curious about where their potential for further development lies. An experienced auditor draws on insights from previous audits, recognizes patterns, and holds up a professional mirror to the organization. This results not only in an assessment but also in a better understanding of how processes work in practice.”
As a certifying body, Normec VRO works closely with organizations, precisely because of its role as an independent auditor. That role is not limited to the moment the audit takes place. Through careful assessment, specialized practical knowledge, and targeted discussions, Normec VRO helps organizations gain a clearer understanding of how social responsibility as an employer is structured, implemented, and ensured. In this way, the audit contributes to a process in which organizations make their social impact visible and can further strengthen it.
Suzanne Coors emphasizes that the structure of the process is the key to sustainable success:
“It is essential to approach certification as a complete customer journey. The process does not end with the report. Parties and organizations that have sustainably embraced social entrepreneurship schedule an internal evaluation immediately after the audit to assess how the process went and address any areas for improvement right away. These are the organizations that ultimately score the highest—both qualitatively and quantitatively—on the ladder.”
Julisa Fereijra-Phelipa links this to Normec VRO’s Fair Labor vision: “Fair Labor is central to how we view work, employment, and responsibility. Within the PSO, we focus on people for whom a suitable and sustainable workplace can make a significant difference. That is precisely why we believe it is important that social responsibility as an employer be assessed carefully, fairly, and transparently. We want to be accessible and approachable in this regard, without losing sight of our independent role. Together with PSO Netherlands, we contribute to a market in which social entrepreneurship is visibly, verifiably, and sustainably ensured.”
Inclusive employment is ultimately not just about numbers, processes, or certifications. It’s about people. It’s about creating opportunities, harnessing talent, and making a sustainable impact. That is precisely why Normec VRO and PSO Nederland believe that independent assessment must go beyond a mere evaluation. By bringing together practical experience, data, and human insight, a more complete picture emerges of social employment practices and of the impact that organizations actually make.
VRO Certification has recently joined the Normec Group, of which Normec Fair Labor Certification is a part. VRO Certification will eventually merge with Normec Fair Labor Certification (formerly Crop Certification), thereby strengthening its position as the market leader in conducting various inspections and audits in the field of fair labor.
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