Publications by subject - Social protection - 2012

The proportion of people aged 65 and over will rise from 17% to 30% of the EU population by 2060, while at the same time the working age population will decline. The European Commission estimates that most of the increase in public spending in the EU over the next 50 years will be on pensions, long-term care and healthcare. Foundation Findings provide pertinent background information and policy pointers for all actors and interested parties engaged in the current European debate on the future of social policy. The contents are based on Foundation research and reflect its autonomous and tripartite structure.

It is increasingly common for workers in the EU to take up paid work after retirement. This trend adds an important dimension to the current discourse on extending working lives. Facilitating work after retirement for those who want to work can contribute to sustainable pension systems. This study investigates retirees’ motivations for seeking paid work and their opportunities for gaining employment. It examines the extent to which work after retirement is related to income adequacy among the retired population. It also explores the types of paid employment that retirees take up and identifies ways in which companies seek to recruit and retain retirees. The report concludes with recommendations for governments, employers and retirees. An executive summary is also available.

It is increasingly common for workers in the EU to take up paid work after retirement. This trend adds an important dimension to the current discourse on extending working lives. Facilitating work after retirement for those who want to work can contribute to sustainable pension systems. This study investigates retirees’ motivations for seeking paid work and their opportunities for gaining employment. It examines the extent to which work after retirement is related to income adequacy among the retired population. It also explores the types of paid employment that retirees take up and identifies ways in which companies seek to recruit and retain retirees. The report concludes with recommendations for governments, employers and retirees. Read more in the report.

Housing-related problems faced by the Roma include high overcrowding rates, lack of access to improved forms of sanitation and high levels of urban segregation thus limiting access to healthcare services. These issues reinforce existing health inequalities among the Roma – increased risk of disability, chronic illness, being overweight. Moreover, these conditions worsen in the case of forced evictions. This report analyses the extent of the problem of substandard housing for the Roma in Europe and draws attention to the situation of Traveller groups, who often have difficulties finding a place in halting sites. Regarding the health status of the Roma, interestingly they report better subjective health than the majority population, perhaps because they have a different perception of health (seen as the absence of illness), use health services less frequently or are less aware of health issues. An executive summary is available.

In the last ten years, flexicurity has been adopted by the European Commission as a European labour market strategy through a set of common policy components and guidelines. The aim is to tackle the challenges of globalisation, ageing populations and relatively low employment rates, especially for the most vulnerable groups of workers. Foundation Findings provide pertinent background information and policy pointers for all actors and interested parties engaged in the current European debate on the future of social policy. The contents are based on Foundation research and reflect its autonomous and tripartite structure.

Companies need flexibility to respond to changing consumer demand, or to a new regulatory or competitive environment. This can often be controversial, especially when it involves flexibility in relation to such matters as pay, working time arrangements, contractual status and the organisation of work. This fact sheet forms part of the Eurofound resource pack 'Unleashing the potential – Flexibility in European companies'. The pack explores the flexibility strategies used at national and company level and their impact on employees.

Each company has their own reasons for applying a particular organisation of work and practices. Flexibility practices are usually not single measures but a package which suits the company, and which is placed into a national (and European) context and social infrastructure, as well as in national/sectoral traditions of social dialogue. This fact sheet forms part of the Eurofound resource pack 'Unleashing the potential – Flexibility in European companies'. The pack explores the flexibility strategies used at national and company level and their impact on employees.

Since the start of the recession in 2008, European enterprises have faced a significant decrease in demand that has required the development of new strategies to survive the crisis and return to growth. This fact sheet forms part of the Eurofound resource pack 'Unleashing the potential – Flexibility in European companies'. The pack explores the flexibility strategies used at national and company level and their impact on employees.

Working time flexibility is the most widespread form of flexibility practice. Various types of working time flexibility practices are being used in European companies. This fact sheet forms part of the Eurofound resource pack 'Unleashing the potential – Flexibility in European companies'. The pack explores the flexibility strategies used at national and company level and their impact on employees.

Increased internationalisation of competition has created pressure from employers for flexibility or variation in pay. This affects both the process of wage regulation, particularly through collective bargaining, and pay outcomes. This fact sheet forms part of the Eurofound resource pack 'Unleashing the potential – Flexibility in European companies'. The pack explores the flexibility strategies used at national and company level and their impact on employees.