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Labour and social regulation

Labour and social regulation covers the legal framework and fundamental social rights that regulates industrial relations, employment and social policies across Europe. It includes national, EU and international legislation.  Union labour law has a direct or indirect impact on the normative and functional frameworks of individual and collective labour law systems of the Member States in a relationship of mutual interference and interaction.  Increasingly Union labour laws are also shaped by agreements that the parties voluntarily enter into and by soft law mechanisms.  The reform or modernising of labour law is currently high on the agenda in several Member States.

Topic

Recent updates

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Regulatory responses to algorithmic management in the EU

Since 2013, Eurofound's ERM database on restructuring-related legislation has been documenting regulatory developments in the Member States of the European Union and Norway. The most recent update to the database...

Article
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Hübriidtöö Euroopas: kontseptsioon ja praktika

Termin „hübriidtöö“ sai populaarseks seoses kaugtöö levikuga COVID-19 pandeemia ajal, kui ettevõtted ja töötajad hakkasid arutama, kuidas korraldada tööd pärast kriisi. Seda mõistet on üha enam kasutatud, et osutada olukordadele...

25 Mai 2023
Publication
Research report

Eurofound research

Eurofound has monitored legislative developments in industrial relations, working conditions and restructuring in Europe over time and from a comparative perspective across the Member States. The Agency’s work in this area seeks to assist decision-makers to better understand the legal framework for creating policy. It has also put resources in place to assist audiences in understanding the sometimes complex and difficult terminology used.

EU context

This topic covers the legal framework that regulates industrial relations and employment across Europe, including EU legislation and the fundamental labour standards that need to be taken into account.

Legislation is crucial in shaping how Europeans work and live. It is the basis for ensuring better working conditions, equitable labour relations, and equal opportunities for all citizens.

Publications results (81)

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Romania

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Romania over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

15 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Slovakia

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Slovakia over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

15 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Denmark

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Denmark over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

15 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Hungary

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Hungary over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

15 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Lithuania

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Lithuania over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good

15 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Luxembourg

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Luxembourg over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good

15 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Slovenia

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Slovenia over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

13 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Ageing workforce
Labour law
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Attractive workplace for all: a contribution to the Lisbon strategy at company level - National report for Germany

The Foundation project ‘Attractive workplace for all: A contribution to the Lisbon Strategy at company level’ aims at identifying pioneer company practices, policies and agreements and showing how the Lisbon strategy is being implemented on the ground at company level. Examples of innovative company

28 September 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour law
Working conditions
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Spain

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Spain over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice at

06 September 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Finland

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Finland over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

06 September 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation
Online resources results (794)

Spain: New employment and social dialogue agreement marks a turning point

4 september 2015
Article
Pay and income
Collective bargaining
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Estonia: New measure to fight in-work poverty

Parliament approves an annual tax refund for low-wage earners as a new measure to fight in-work poverty.

4 september 2015
Article
Labour and social regulation
Living conditions and quality of life
Social policies
Working conditions
Working poor
Working conditions and sustainable work

France: Social partners give mixed response to Macron Law on labour disputes

Reforms to the law on labour disputes have been criticised by the social partners as rushed, and as an attempt to destabilise the joint nature of the Labour Court. The changes have been included in the Macron Law, adopted on 9 June 2015 by parliament, which also includes several measures to

4 september 2015
Article
Industrial action
Labour law
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Lithuania: Unions protest at new draft social model law

The draft legislation on a new social model has prompted widespread protest from trade unions who fear that the new law will undermine social guarantees and have negative effects on working conditions.

4 september 2015
Article
Social dialogue
Labour law
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Hungary: New act restricts worker representation in the law enforcement sector

Unions have criticised the new act governing law enforcement services as undermining the activity of interest representation organisations.

4 september 2015
Article
Employee representation
Labour law
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue

France: New bill on social dialogue should bolster employee representation

Rules to modernise social dialogue are being introduced in France after a new bill was adopted by parliament in July 2015. It heralds many changes for consultation bodies and collective bargaining at company level. The bill was launched by the government after social partners at national level

3 september 2015
Article
Social dialogue
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Spain: State of play regarding work–life balance and working time in companies

The economic crisis and recent labour reforms in Spain have hindered the development of policies to help employees have a better work–life balance, according to a report released in March 2015. The report, backed by the CCOO union federation, examines existing rights concerning work–life balance and

2 september 2015
Article
Gender equality
Leave
Work-life balance
Working time
Collective bargaining
Labour law
Working conditions
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

UK: Newly elected conservative government proposes changes to strike balloting

The newly elected UK government changes strike ballot legislation as part of the controversial Trade Union Bill.

31 august 2015
Article
Industrial action
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Netherlands: Unexpected problems with Work and Security Act

There have been unexpected problems following the introduction of the new Act on Work and Security in the Netherlands. The act, which changes employment and dismissal law, came into force on 1 July and aims to create a new balance between ‘insiders’, permanent employees who have high levels of

31 august 2015
Article
Non-standard employment
Employment relationship
Labour law
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Spain: Working mothers to receive pension supplement

4 august 2015
Article
Gender equality
Retirement
Working conditions
Labour and social regulation
Social policies
Working conditions and sustainable work
Blogs results (12)
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Regulating platform work in Europe: A work in progress

The platform economy is one of those moving targets, which, despite receiving increasing media and policy attention, has proven difficult to regulate. Given the heterogeneity of employment relationships, business models, types of platform work and cross-border issues, this is not surprising. Yet, in

27 september 2022
Dragoș Adăscăliței
Blog
Platform work
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
Digitalisation
Labour and social regulation
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Resumed EU Semester calls for better involvement of the social partners in implementing recovery and resilience plans

With the arrival of the month of May, the 2022 European Semester Spring Package is anticipated soon. After a transformative year in 2021, which saw the launch of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) under NextGenerationEU, the European Semester cycle has resumed its role as the reference

3 Mai 2022
Ricardo Rodriguez Contreras
Blog
Social partners
European Pillar of Social Rights
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue
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Platform cooperatives ensure caring in the sharing economy

Whether it is couch surfing, baby-sitting, pizza delivery or getting Ikea furniture assembled by somebody who can do it better, platforms can mediate all kinds of voluntary or professional services. Platform work is at the heart of the ‘sharing economy’. But while this may sound like a new form of

31 märts 2022
Beate Steurer
Blog
New forms of employment
Employment relationship
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
Digitalisation
Labour and social regulation
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Gender pay transparency: Advancing the cause through a truly European proposal

With its proposed directive on gender pay transparency, the European Commission has significantly bolstered the set of tools for delivering its objectives compared to those presented in its 2014 Recommendation. The proposed portfolio of measures addresses many shortcomings of the instruments that

18 juuni 2021
Christine Aumayr-Pintar
Blog
Pay and income
Working conditions and sustainable work
Gender equality
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue
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As Member States take different approaches to regulating telework, will the EU bring them into line?

The massive and rapid adoption of telework in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 lockdowns exposed gaps in the legislation governing telework arrangements across the EU Member States. In some cases, there was no regulation in place; in others, it was too restrictive. Governments scrambled to put

31 Mai 2021
Federica De Blasio
Blog
Working conditions and sustainable work
Teleworking
Digitalisation
Labour and social regulation
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Does the new telework generation need a right to disconnect?

Whatever the benefits of telework – and there are many, including more flexible working time, increased productivity and less commuting – there are drawbacks, as many of the one-third of Europeans who were exclusively working from home during the pandemic will attest. Primary among these is the ‘alw

3 detsember 2020
Oscar Vargas Llave
Blog
Working conditions and sustainable work
Work-life balance
Collective bargaining
Agreements
Digitalisation
Teleworking
Labour and social regulation
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
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Are simple statistics enough? On the benefits of gender pay reports and audits

Following a sluggish response by many Member States to introduce or modify gender pay transparency measures, as it recommended in 2014, the European Commission intends to table a proposal for EU-level legislation on pay transparency later in 2020. In this context, a new Eurofound study investigated

6 november 2020
Christine Aumayr-Pintar
Blog
Pay and income
Gender equality
Discrimination at work
Labour and social regulation
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Racial discrimination is not a thing of the past in the EU

25 juuni 2020
Anna Gallinat
Blog
Working conditions and sustainable work
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Discrimination at work
Inclusive labour markets
Migration and mobility
Labour and social regulation
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Can short-time working save jobs during the COVID-19 crisis?

On 2 April, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new fund of up to €100 billion to support EU Member States to introduce short-time working or similar schemes, including for the self-employed, in an effort to safeguard jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Known as SURE

5 Mai 2020
Tina Weber
Blog
COVID-19
Labour market policies
Labour and social regulation
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Economic downturns expose the vulnerability of a growing number of precarious workers

Up to the start of 2020, recent EU economic and labour market trends were often discussed in terms of the periods before and after the Great Recession. It now appears likely that, in the short- to medium-term, the repercussions of that economic crisis will be dwarfed by the unfolding impact of the

21 aprill 2020
Tina Weber
Blog
COVID-19
Non-standard employment
Employment status
Labour and social regulation
Employment and labour markets

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