European Company Surveys (ECS)

Survey objectives

The main objectives of the survey are to:

• map, assess and quantify information on company policies and practices across Europe on a harmonised basis
• analyse relationships between company practices and their impact, as well as looking at practices from the point of view of structures at company level, focusing in particular on social dialogue
• monitor trends
• contribute to the Agenda for Europe through mapping and understanding company policies and practices upon which Europe can build an economy that works for people, safeguarding EU core values – such as the importance of well-functioning dialogue – and fit for the digital age

How is the survey carried out?

The ECS is a questionnaire-based representative sample survey of business establishments with at least 10 employees. Interviews take place with the manager responsible for human resources in the establishment and when possible with an employee representative.

Focus of survey

The first edition of the survey covered issues around working time arrangements and work–life balance at company level. The second edition looked at different forms of flexibility, including working time flexibility, contractual flexibility, variable pay and financial participation, as well as accompanying human resource measures, and the nature and quality of workplace social dialogue. The third survey looked at workplace organisation, workplace innovation, employee participation and social dialogue in European workplaces. These topics were repeated in the fourth edition which also includes questions on skills use, skills strategies and digitalisation.

Scope of survey

The timeline below lists the countries covered in the various editions of the survey.