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Abstract

Megatrends, such as digitalisation, globalisation, demographic change and climate change, are transforming the world of work, with knock-on effects for working conditions and job quality. Against this background, this report examines working conditions and job quality from a sectoral perspective, using data from the 2015 European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS). The report first outlines the sectoral characteristics underpinning employment – economic structure, demographics, occupational level and employment status. It then goes on to focus on four main topics: changing tasks, skills, training and employability; non-standard employment and employment security; health, well-being and flexible work organisation; and employee representation and voice. Differences in working conditions arising from age, gender, occupation and education level are taken into account. According to the analysis, developing measures to address relevant issues such as skills development, job security and work intensity should be a priority for policy. The data also show that the presence of employee representation and voice is key to improving the situation of employees.

Working conditions in sectors

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Key findings

While job quality is generally improving, the trend is comparatively downward in some sectors. The only aspect deteriorating in all sectors is social environment, especially in public administration and health.

The sectors most affected by changes in work organisation and digitalisation (education and services) and with low levels of training participation (agriculture, construction and commerce and hospitality) should be provided with training to improve workers’ employability.

A high level of flexibility and a digitalised work environment are found mainly in service sectors and within high-skilled occupations. Despite the advantages of these work arrangements, workers are more likely to report work–life balance problems.

While formal in-company employee representation exists for only 50% of workers, its presence is an important factor in improving the situation of workers. This absence is particularly salient in agriculture, commerce and hospitality and other services, and is more evident in the Eastern countries than in other regions in Europe.

List of tables

Table 1: Sectoral coverage
Table 2: Country coverage
Table 3: Job quality indices
Table 4: Occupation and job quality by sector, 2015 (percentage difference for higher ISCO categories (1–3) relative to lower ISCO categories (4–9))
Table 5: Summary of sociodemographic characteristics and job quality by sector, 2015
Table 6: Task indicator scores by occupation category within sectors
Table 7: Regression between task indicators and perceived employability by sector, 2010 and 2015
Table 8: Job quality and non-standard forms of employment by sector, 2015 (percentage difference in the case of non-standard employment)
Table 9: Well-being and health indicators, 2015 by sector and country cluster, 2015
Table 10: Average scores for autonomy and working time flexibility by digital worker category, 2015
Table 11: Distribution of digital worker categories (with high, medium and low levels of flexibility) by sector, 2015 (%)
Table 12: Distribution of digital worker categories (with high, medium and low levels of flexibility) by occupation, 2015 (%)
Table 13: Difference in average level of health and well-being indicators for each category of worker (with high and medium levels of flexibility) by sector, 2015
Table 14: Job quality and representation by sector, 2015

List of graphs

Figure 1: Change in employment by sector, 2008–2019 (100 = 2008)
Figure 2: Change in sectoral employment by country cluster, 2008–2019 (%)
Figure 3: Proportion of total EU employment by sector and country cluster, 2015 (%)
Figure 4: Female share of employment by sector, 2015 (%)
Figure 5: Age structure of the workforce by sector, 2015 (%)
Figure 6: Occupational structure by sector, 2015 (%)
Figure 7: Shifts in occupational structures by sector, 2010–2015
Figure 8: Distribution of educational attainment by sector, 2015 (%)
Figure 9: Proportion of part-time and temporary employment by sector, 2015 (%)
Figure 10: Involuntary part-time work by gender and sector, 2015 (%)
Figure 11: Usual hours worked by contract duration and sector, 2015
Figure 12: Job quality indices by sector, 2015
Figure 13: Job quality indices by sector and country cluster, 2015
Figure 14: Job quality indices by subsector (NACE Rev. 2), 2015
Figure 15: Job quality indices by sector and occupational category, 2015
Figure 16: Job quality indices over time, 1995–2015
Figure 17: Convergence and divergence of sectoral job quality over time, 2005–2015
Figure 18: Changes in task indicators by sector, 2010–2015 (%)
Figure 19: Breakdown of changes in physical routine tasks by sector, 2010–2015 (%)
Figure 20: Breakdown of changes in cognitive tasks by sector, 2010–2015 (%)
Figure 21: Breakdown of changes in interactional tasks by sector, 2010–2015 (%)
Figure 22: Share of employees who had received training provided by the employer (during the previous 12 months) by sector, 2010 and 2015 (%)
Figure 23: Share of employees who had received training paid for by the employee (during the previous 12 months) by sector, 2010 and 2015 (%)
Figure 24: Average score for the level of employability by sector, 2010 and 2015
Figure 25: Share of non-standard forms of employment by sector, 2015 (%)
Figure 26: Perception of employment security and job insecurity in the EU27 and the UK by sector and country cluster, 2015
Figure 27: Non-standard employment and job quality indices by sector, 2015
Figure 28: Health and well-being indicators by sector – deviation from the EU average, 2015
Figure 29: Presence of representative bodies (trade unions and OSH committees) or employee meetings (voice) by sector, 2015 (percentage of workers)
Figure 30: Employee representation and voice and job quality by sector, 2015

Number of pages
78
Reference nº
EF19005
ISBN
978-92-897-2121-9
Catalogue nº
TJ-02-20-860-EN-N
DOI
10.2806/024695
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