Publications by type - Reports - 2008

Nowadays, technology plays a central role in workplaces, enabling the speedy production of goods and services and facilitating communication and innovation processes. This report examines the different categories of technology used in workplaces in order to gauge their influence on working conditions and health outcomes. The analysis is based on findings from the Fourth Working Conditions Survey carried out across 31 countries, including the 27 EU Member States. The findings reveal that it is not so much the technology itself but rather the associated working conditions that put workers’ health and safety at risk. An executive summary is available.

This report reviews the present situation regarding the use of temporary agency work (TAW) in European Union Member States. It examines arrangements for social dialogue and collective bargaining at national level across the EU. It examines the role of collective bargaining in determining such matters as length of assignment, the use of TAW in strikes, and the proportion of agency workers allowed; it also examines the role of collective bargaining in determining equality of treatment in pay, training and other conditions of employment. In addition the report reviews other forms of regulation, and national variations, including the composition of companies in the field of TAW, its sectoral and occupational distribution, and the duration of temporary assignments. An executive summary is available.

The European Union, together with its citizens, is undergoing profound change. Demographic change, greater global competition, technological developments and the enlargement of the EU itself are all shaping the lives – both private and professional – of ordinary men and women across the Member States. This overview uses Eurofound’s research findings to capture a snapshot of what it means to live and work in Europe at the start of the 21st century. The reports listed in this overview, all available through the Eurofound website, will give the reader a deeper insight into the issues raised here.

Against a backdrop of increased European and national policy attention regarding this highly sensitive issue, Eurofound has conducted a pioneering piece of research by analysing existing national legislation on liability in subcontracting processes in the construction sector. The report underlines the significant differences that exist between the various national liability regulations in place in the eight Member States under consideration (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). The varying legal tradition and industrial relations cultures in the countries covered mean that research results are highly specific to each national situation and that few elements are transferable.

Skills, skills, skills! This is the mantra of modern labour and social policies. Up-skilling is seen as a win-win solution and it is commonly agreed that up-skilling lies in the interests of individual employees, as well as employers and, indeed, society at large. This paper will address the situation of low-skilled workers in the EU27 Member States by analysing cross-sectional data showing the distribution of such workers in these countries and analysing their working conditions compared to those of other groups of workers. The paper is based mainly on data from Eurofound’s Fourth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS 2005).

This report brings together the analysis of five previous studies on the topic of the life course published by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound). It summarises the overall research findings from the perspective of the individual, the company and the state, and highlights key policy messages. Company cases provide an interesting insight into real life examples of enterprises offering a coherent long-term approach in their human resource management.

A key element of European policy is the emphasis on boosting employment and maximising its quality – creating ‘more and better jobs’ – with a view to shaping a competitive, knowledge-based economy. Over the period 1995 - 2006, considerable growth in employment took place in most European countries. This report seeks to determine if those jobs created were also of better quality. It analyses the level of employment growth across the wage spectrum in each Member State by sector, occupation, type of contract, and gender. An executive summary is available, as well as some background papers on methodology.

European cities are faced with the ongoing challenge of integrating people from very different backgrounds. Access to jobs is recognised as a key dimension of this process, as is the provision of services that migrants can access fully and effectively, without discrimination. This report, published jointly with the Council of Europe, looks at equality and diversity policies in relation to employment and service provision for migrants in city administrations. It documents a range of positive initiatives taken to remove barriers to employment, such as targeted advertising of jobs in migrants’ languages, advanced language classes, translation of information about services provided, and training of staff to provide assistance in job applications. Figures on employment of migrants in CLIP cities are available in a separate annex.

Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007 highlights the most significant industrial relations developments over the past year – both at national and EU level. It first outlines the main political and legislative initiatives taken in the Member States over the past year and goes on to examine the key issues covered by collective bargaining – pay, working time, occupational pensions and training. It focuses in particular on initiatives taken regarding temporary agency work, efforts to close the gender pay gap and action in the area of migration.

This report presents the conclusions from a seminar on families and childcare services held in Ankara, Turkey, on 5 June 2008. The seminar was organised by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound), in cooperation with the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı, CSGB). The event brought together about 100 participants, including practitioners, researchers and government policymakers, as well as representatives of social partners and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Eurofound project ‘Attractive workplace for all: A contribution to the Lisbon Strategy at company level’ aimed at identifying and analysing company case studies from seven countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and UK), showing how the Lisbon strategy is being implemented on the ground at company level. The involvement of the social partners at company and sectoral level is a significant aspect of the development of these policies and their outcomes. This report summarises the case studies published online.

Quality of work and employment is a key priority in the European Union. This fifth annual review of working conditions in the EU examines a range of issues and challenges related to working life and the workplace. It focuses in particular on four critical dimensions: career development and employment security, health and well-being, skills and competence development, and work–life balance.

In the current EU debate on labour market and employment policies, the concept of ‘flexicurity’ – the balance between the flexibility and security needs of employers and employees – has emerged as a central issue. This report puts forward four key indicators to be taken into account in the discussion on flexicurity: objective job insecurity, subjective job insecurity, employability and vulnerability. The analysis is based on findings from the fourth European Working Conditions Survey carried out across 31 countries, including the 27 EU Member States. An executive summary is available.

How can Europe succeed in attracting companies? What motivates companies to choose particular locations for their activities: is it costs or do other factors play a role? The recent conference in Poznań looks at the many facets of this issue and discusses strategies for European companies to take advantage of the opportunities offered by globalisation.

The objective of this study is to present a scenario analysis that may be used as a vehicle to develop long-term visions of possible opportunities, barriers and threats for the European textiles and clothing sector and the sustainable development of its workforce. The objective is pursued as a task divided into the following two subgoals: to develop exploratory scenarios for the macro drivers which influence the development of the textiles and clothing sector; and to present plausible implications of each scenario for the textiles and clothing sector in terms of business strategies, localisation choices, innovation, employment and skills demands.

The textiles and clothing industry represents a significant sector of economic activity in world trade and also within the European Union. It is a highly diverse and heterogeneous industry which covers a wide variety of end products ranging from hi-tech synthetic yarns to wool fabrics, from cotton bed linen to industrial filters, or from nappies to high fashion. This diversity of end products corresponds to a multitude of industrial processes, enterprises and market structures.

In the last two decades, many western European textiles and clothing companies have moved their manufacturing activities to low-cost countries in Eastern Europe or to non-European countries (e.g. India, China), resulting in a decline in sectoral employment. This report examines the main factors influencing the location decisions of companies in the European textiles and clothing sector. It is based on existing research literature and empirical studies.

This report aims to provide an overview of the factors influencing the location strategies of companies within the European transport sector, including a description of different internal and external expansion strategies chosen by companies. The literature on location decisions of transport companies is relatively limited and a detailed analysis would require a significant number of interviews with important actors in the transport sector. However, transport is a highly important factor in business location strategies; therefore, it is possible to analyse the factors affecting companies’ location choices and identify patterns of locations from an indirect perspective and through analysis of hubs and gateways in the transport and logistics sector.

This background paper outlines some of the main issues concerning global competitiveness and the location of firms in Europe. It provides some of the fundamental ideas of economic geography, presents some relevant data and defines some key concepts. The conference itself [3-5 June 2008, Poznań, Poland] which brings together representatives from companies, the social partners and policymakers, aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of what is required from all parties to ensure a competitive and socially cohesive Europe.

This report sets out four different scenarios for the European transport and logistics sector. Scenarios depict plausible hypotheses about the future; thus, they are useful tools for forecasting, analysing and formulating policy, as well as for strategic planning in private companies and among the social partners. In a rapidly changing and complex world – where demand and supply change equally fast – planning for the future cannot rely on simple projections of past trends. Alternative views of the future can help to broaden the understanding of issues that need to be addressed today. Scenario methodology provides such alternative views by embracing the uncertainty inherent in the future.

Almost eight million people are employed in the transport and logistics sector, representing about 5% of total employment. Working conditions for the workforce and demand for their competencies will be influenced by political, economic, environmental, sociodemographic and technological changes in the sector – just as the sector will be influenced by changes in the workforce. This report aims to identify trends and key drivers of change in the EU transport and logistics sector with a particular focus on competitiveness, skills and working conditions. The report is based on a study of existing literature and statistics.

The report highlights four factors which are key to shaping the age structure of Europe’s workforce: ensuring career and employment security; maintaining and promoting the health and well-being of workers; developing skills and competencies; and reconciling working and non-working life. The findings show that improving working conditions leads to better job sustainability over the lifecycle, which in turn can prevent early exit from the labour market and encourage stronger participation rates among older workers. The analysis is based on findings from the fourth European Working Conditions Survey carried out in 31 countries, including the 27 EU Member States. An executive summary is available.

Data from recent Eurostat publications show that, despite some convergence in employment patterns between women and men, considerable gender differences remain in relation to work. Women have caught up in educational qualifications and increased their employment rate, but family responsibilities are still the main reason for women’s above average inactivity rate. Women also continue to be more concentrated in certain economic sectors. Moreover, a gender-based entrepreneurial gap remains and women remain underrepresented in labour market policy interventions.

The Third Work–Life Balance Employer Survey for 2007 provides an up-to-date picture of work–life balance practices and attitudes in British workplaces with five or more employees. As the third survey in the series, it offers the opportunity of assessing change over time in relation to work–life balance issues and the impact of new legislation in this area. The research covers a wide range of issues including working hours, provision and take-up of flexible working arrangements, awareness of legislative changes, leave provisions, support for working parents and employers’ attitudes to work–life balance measures.

The preliminary results of the second Quality of Work in Italy Survey, carried out in 2006 by the National Training Agency, show that working conditions have tended to decline since the 2002 survey, although overall job satisfaction is still high. Italian workers seem to be less satisfied with their job autonomy, pay, job security and career opportunities. In general, factors causing gender gaps both at the workplace and in private life persist.

This report explores the employment impact of globalisation and reviews the attitudes and responses of national governments and the European social partners to this phenomenon. It first looks at the attitudes of the different stakeholders in the 27 Member States of the EU, including Bulgaria and Romania which joined the EU on 1 January 2007, as well as Norway. It then examines the responses of governments, employers and trade unions in these countries to the process of globalisation. Finally, the report gives a brief overview of national surveys of public opinion on globalisation which have been carried out in recent years.

The quality of work as well as health complaints in the Netherlands appear to be relatively stable. Pace of work seems to be on the increase again and more people are working in excess of their contractual hours. Notwithstanding changes in disability legislation, psychological disorders remain a factor in dropping out of employment. Overall, absenteeism has been decreasing recently although work-related illnesses tend to result in longer spells of absence.

This report examines the link between working conditions and social dialogue, highlighting instances where social dialogue has had an impact on working conditions. The impact of social dialogue on working conditions is considered at all levels – national, sectoral, company and workplace levels. There is also a specific focus on occupational health and safety.

The energy sector in the EU25 employs more than one million people and generates a turnover reaching €535 billion a year, thereby contributing significantly to the European economy (Eurostat, 2007). Moreover, the energy sector is fundamental for most other sectors and hence can be defined as a key sector to economic growth and social and territorial cohesion. This report explores four possible future scenarios of the European energy sector and their consequences for the structure and workings of the sector within the next 30 to 50 years. Special attention will be paid to issues such as changes in skills needs and labour demands, location patterns, R&D investments and the role of renewable and alternative energy sources.

This report presents the conclusions from a seminar on labour mobility coorganised by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and the German Marshall Fund of the United States. The seminar brought together a group of about 60 leading European and American researchers in the field of labour mobility and policymakers to discuss transatlantic mobility trends and to reflect on the social, economic and cultural impacts of geographical and long-distance labour market mobility.

The energy sector is one of the central pillars of economic growth and competitiveness, and of social and territorial cohesion in Europe. The signing of the Coal and Steel Treaty in 1951 and the European Atomic Energy Treaty in 1957 marked the significance of the energy sector throughout Europe. Since, many developments have led to profound changes in the energy sector regarding supply chains, company structures and employment issues. In March 2007, one of the most important turning points in EU energy policies was made when the EU agreed on the legally binding targets of reducing greenhouse gases by 20% in 2020 and raising renewables’ share of energy consumption to 20%, also by 2020. This was followed by a communication from the European Commission, ‘20 20 by 2020’, released in January 2008.

In recent years, the rapid process of globalisation has triggered a political debate on international working and production standards, and the need for supra-national structures and regulation. The adoption of corporate codes of conduct and international framework agreements (IFAs) is a reflection of the increasing global outreach and influence of multinational companies. This report analyses the impact of both these type of initiative on corporate practice and industrial relations.

This report reviews the main results of the first lifelong learning survey in Bulgaria based on the 2003 ad hoc module of Eurostat’s labour force survey. The findings indicate significantly lower participation levels than in the other EU Member States. Some 80% of the Bulgarian population aged 15 years and over did not participate in any form of learning activity in the 12 month period prior to the survey interview. Older workers in particular and employers need to be encouraged to pursue a strategy of lifelong learning.

This overview report provides a typology of the potential approaches to and measures for tackling undeclared work. Such a resource could be used to provide a baseline against which the current approaches and measures used in the current 27 Member States of the European Union (EU27) can be assessed. The report looks specifically at the effectiveness of the policy measures used in five countries – Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom. The central finding is that EU countries currently remain heavily embedded in a ‘deterrence approach’, which seeks to increase the actual or perceived likelihood of detection and penalties.

This report describes four scenarios for the European biomedical healthcare sector. These scenarios depict plausible hypotheses about the future and provide a tool for forecasting, analysing and formulating policy as well as for strategic planning in private companies and among social partners. In a rapidly changing and complex world where demand and supply opportunities change equally quickly, planning cannot rely on simple projections of past trends. Alternative views of the future can help to broaden our understanding of issues that need to be addressed today. Scenario methodology provides such alternative views by embracing the element of uncertainty inherent in the future.

The objective of this comparative research project is to assist the new Member States (NMS) of the European Union, along with the two candidate countries Croatia and Turkey (CC2), to build their capacity for sectoral and local social dialogue in anticipating and managing change. The project was first initiated by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions in 2005, when it launched a research project on social capacity building at national level in a joint effort with the Swedish Work–Life Development Project.

The commerce sector in Europe faces several challenges, including increased competition, complex supply chains, changing demographics, increased migration, changing consumer and media trends as well as its ability to attract skilled labour. Additionally, the rise of economies in Asia and continued economic out-performance by the United States pose significant external challenges to the European Union.

This report describes four different scenarios for the future development and state of the European commerce sector. A scenario describes a plausible hypothesis about the future: it is a tool used in foresight exercises for policy analyses and policy formulation, and for strategy processes in private companies and among social partners. The four alternative scenarios presented here represent realistic, internally consistent and plausible pictures of alternative futures. Scenario 1: protectionism/personal identity and spiritual/cultural values; scenario 2: free movement of goods/personal identity and spiritual/ cultural values; scenario 3: free movement of goods/personal identity and ability to consume; scenario 4: protectionism/personal identity and ability to consume.

In recent years, the issue of flexicurity – how to maintain a balance between the needs of companies for more flexibility in employment contracts and the needs of workers for flexible working hours and for security of employment – has shifted to centre-stage in the policy arena. This report looks at the impact of the ongoing trend towards greater flexibility in the European labour market. It explores whether the trend has contributed to a better work–life balance for workers and reveals the long-term effects of working in non-standard contracts and working part time on individuals’ careers, incomes and employment security.

This is the report of a conference held in Lisbon on 8–9 November 2007, organised by the Foundation in cooperation with the European Commission Leader+ Observatory, the Leader+ Network in Portugal and the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries (Ministério da Agricultura, do Desenvolvimento Rural e das Pescas, MADRP). Leader+ is one of four initiatives financed by EU structural funds and is designed to help rural actors consider the long-term potential of their local region.

In conjunction with the launch of the European campaign on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), the European Working Conditions Observatory (EWCO) of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, in cooperation with the Portuguese EU Presidency, organised a high-level conference on MSDs in Lisbon on 11–12 October 2007. The conference aimed to engage discussion on European and national trends in the prevalence of MSDs, the economic and social impact, good practice examples in prevention policies and options for change. The event offered a common platform for debate to experts, representatives from the EU and national authorities, social partners and practitioners, and members of the EWCO network.

In 2006, Statistics Norway conducted the sixth Level of Living Survey: Working Conditions, which outlines the general situation of workers and workplaces in Norway and charts trends in working conditions. The survey results indicate that levels of exposure to physical risk factors are generally low, although the proportion of workers experiencing repetitive movements at work has increased. The findings also reveal that employees have high levels of job demands and job control, and good opportunities for professional development.

This document gives an overview of the activities planned by the Foundation for 2008, within the framework of its four-year programme 2005-2008, 'Changing Europe: Better work, better life'.