Sustainable work

The multifaceted nature of the sustainable work concept means that it intersects with many key areas of Eurofound’s work. Eurofound has created a framework for understanding the concept of sustainable work, which is used as a reference point for a range of research projects on this topic.

• Publication: Sustainable work over the life course: Concept paper

Enabling sustainable work

Eurofound has analysed national policies and strategies that help to achieve sustainable work throughout the life course. Research has investigated how partial retirement schemes can contribute to sustainable and adequate pension systems by enabling and motivating people to extend their working lives. It also examined how mid-career reviews can help workers to explore their options to remain in work until a later retirement age. 

Working conditions and quality of work

Eurofound’s sixth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS 2015) describes the current state of key working conditions across the EU Member States. Previously, Eurofound examined the working conditions that make work sustainable over a lifetime and are therefore likely to promote a longer working life: good working conditions, physical and mental well-being, as well as work–life balance.

Eurofound’s research maps the progress achieved since 2000 in improving working conditions and examines whether all workers have benefited equally from positive change. It explores inequalities in working conditions between groups and the drivers of inequality, and highlights which groups are the most at risk of being left behind. It also provides evidence for measures that could lead to the further improvement of work and the achievement of fair working conditions for all in the EU. 

Good quality of work is a precondition for well-being and motivation and, as such, is a cornerstone of sustainable work. As part of the EWCS, Eurofound has developed indices for measuring different dimensions of job quality. Eurofound has also researched several components of job quality and the work environment separately, including employee involvement in decision-making. Using EWCS 2015 data, research has explored the factors influencing the working conditions of workers of different ages and in the context of Eurofound’s concept of sustainable work. The research shows that, overall, job quality in the EU is improving, if slowly. But not all workers are benefiting to the same extent. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated trends, reinforcing concerns and highlighting the importance of achieving job quality for all.

Health at work

Eurofound also recently used EWCS data to examine working conditions and their implications for worker’s health. The rise in psychosocial risks to employee well-being motivated a joint report with sister agency EU-OSHA in 2014 on psychosocial risks in European workplaces. Eurofound has also looked more specifically at physical and psychological violence at work, as well as the relationship between health and well-being and work.

The Agency has also produced studies examining the employment situations of young people with health problems and disabilities and people with chronic diseases. These studies also describe policies and measures public authorities have taken aimed at integrating these groups into the labour market.

Work–life balance

Eurofound has addressed the issue of broadening labour force participation on many fronts. Research on working time and work–life balance describes prevailing working time patterns, demonstrating the degree of flexibility available to workers in reconciling the demands of work and private life. This topic is particularly relevant to policymaking on increasing participation of women in the workforce.

Older workers

The Agency has also teamed up with three other EU Agencies in looking at age-friendly work in Europe.  Another study documents initiatives by governments and social partners to retain older workers in the labour market.