European Working Conditions Survey 2005

This background paper has been prepared to complement the findings of a comparative analysis by Eurofound on what has been termed ‘very atypical work’ in the 27 EU Member States. In the background paper, the definition of very atypical forms of work includes non-written employment contracts, contracts of less than 10 working hours a week and very short fixed-term contracts of six months or less.

This report reviews the policy contribution of the fourth EWCS, paying particular attention to the: contribution that the survey currently makes to debates and action regarding specific EU social and employment policies and concerns; potential contribution of the survey in identifying new policy concepts that can capture more complex concerns, in the way that ‘flexicurity’ and ‘job quality’ have done in previous research.

This report outlines the current situation regarding work intensity, indicating a clear link between work intensity and poor working conditions, both physical and psychological. The analysis is based on findings from the fourth European Working Conditions Survey carried out in 31 countries, including the 27 EU Member States. The analysis reveals sharp variations between different Member States in relation to working hours and the associated gender gap, and points to the huge costs both for workers and companies arising from high work intensity. 

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 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.

This report examines the extent of occupational segregation by gender and how it impacts on the quality of women’s and men’s working lives. The analysis is based on findings from the fourth European Working Conditions Survey carried out across 31 countries, including the 27 EU Member States. The report highlights differences between men and women in key aspects of job quality, such as working hours, job satisfaction, work–life compatibility and work-related health outcomes.

Work plays a significant part in the lives of most Europeans. It is recognised at EU policy level that understanding the conditions under which people work across the different EU countries is central to achieving improved quality of work, greater productivity and increased employment – the so called Lisbon objectives. The Foundation’s European working conditions surveys, conducted every five years, have been providing a valuable insight into quality-of-work issues since 1990. The fourth European Working Conditions Survey presents the views of workers on a wide range of issues including work organisation, working time, equal opportunities, training, health and well-being and job satisfaction.

The Foundation’s European Working Conditions Surveys (EWCS) have been carried out every five years since 1991. They thus provide a unique insight into the evolution of the conditions of work and employment in the European Union throughout the last 15 years. In late 2005, the Foundation carried out its fourth survey. Almost 30,000 workers were interviewed in 31 European countries, volunteering information on more than 100 questions relating to different aspects of their conditions of work and employment.