• Areas of Expertise:
  • Business and society
  • Diversity
  • Employment status
  • Gender
  • Health
  • Human capital
  • Industrial change
  • Industrial relations
  • Labour market
  • Participation at work
  • Population and society
  • Quality of life
  • Quality of work
  • Social cohesion
  • Social protection
  • Time
  • Work-life balance
  • Work organisation

Social cohesion

20 February 2013 The European Commission Communication on the Social Investment Package for Growth and Cohesion

Overview

Eurofound's research in this area relates to the key priorities of the EU Social Agenda – full employment and a more inclusive society – and will continue to be a major focus.

Areas of research undertaken by Eurofound include a three-phase report on the issue of disability and social inclusion, which identified policy initiatives that can facilitate social and economic integration, as well as examining ways to retain people with chronic illnesses and disabilities in employment. A key focus is the active inclusion of young people with disabilities or health problems, as recent research has shown an increase in the take-up of incapacity benefits by young people of working age in EU Member States.

In the context of an ageing population and increasing demand for care services in the EU, there is growing concern about the supply of suitably qualified care workers. Low pay, low status, and high rates of turnover and burnout make it difficult to attract workers to the care sector and keep them in their jobs. Foundation research looks at a range of innovative approaches aimed at increasing the supply of qualified workers in the sector. Another key focus has been the exploration of employment initiatives for an ageing workforce.

Another project examined if, and to what extent, regional social capital is a factor, both in combating social exclusion and in promoting employment in disadvantaged regions. The study on a new organisation of time over working life provides a significant input into the emerging debate in Europe on employment, social protection and care over the life course.

Views and attitudes of citizens in the 31 countries taking part in the European Quality of Life Survey on issues of living conditions, social exclusion and mental well-being are analysed in a recent report.