Fourth European Working Conditions Survey (2005)
Data
from the Fourth European Working Conditions Survey provides a unique
insight into the views of around 30,000 workers in 31 countries on
a wide range of issues including work organisation, working time,
equal opportunities, training, health & safety and job satisfaction.
Download the full descriptive report of the Fourth European Working Conditions Survey. Individual chapters of the report are also available for download.
New Two reports based on in-depth analysis of the Fourth European Working Conditions survey data, are now available:
- A sector perspective on working conditions - See also individual sector profiles
- Convergence and divergence of working conditions in Europe: 1990-2005
Background
The fourth major wave of the European Working Conditions Survey was conducted in 2005. The survey aims to provide an analysis of working conditions in the EU27, in the two candidate countries (Turkey and Croatia), as well as in Switzerland and Norway. In total, nearly 30,000 individual workers were interviewed in face-to-face interviews in their own homes in the period September-November 2005.
The 2005 survey was carried out using the same methodology as in previous instances and is based on a questionnaire containing a core of common questions, allowing meaningful comparisons to be made between this survey and previous editions. Obviously, the comparative analysis is limited to those countries that were EU Member States at the time each successive survey was carried out. Country comparisons should be made with caution as the distribution of the workforce differs widely between countries.
Conducting an international survey in many different countries and languages is very demanding in terms of organisational planning and procedures. In order to ensure that the survey is carried out to the highest specifications and scientific standards, a detailed methodological framework has been put in place.
Eurofound is currently planning for the fifth European Working Conditions Survey. A series of meetings involving Eurofound staff, external experts and Eurofound Board members will take place over the coming months to discuss and finalise the questionnaire for the next survey wave. The fieldwork is set to take place in early 2010 and will involve interviews with over 30.000 individual workers across Europe.
Read more about the Fifth European Workings Conditions Survey (EWCS 2010).