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Left to right: Thomas Byrne T.D., Maria Jepsen, and Ivailo Kalfin. Photo © Eurofound 2021, Mary McCaughey

Future of Europe in the spotlight in discussions between Eurofound and Irish Government

Eurofound’s Directorate met with Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for EU Affairs, in Dublin today to discuss the evolving role of the Agency in producing timely and relevant research on the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment, the labour market and quality of life, as well as its strategic position as the only EU agency based in Ireland.

Image: © Wordley Calvo Stock/Adobe Stock

Teleworkers twice as likely to exceed 48-hour working time limit

The shift to telework during the pandemic, and increased demand for more hybrid working arrangements in the future, is putting the spotlight on whether existing labour legislation is fit for purpose in post-pandemic Europe, according to Eurofound’s new report Right to disconnect: Exploring company practices.

Image: © Wirestock/Adobe Stock

Eurofound: Looking forward to post-pandemic Europe

As Europe moves to the final stages of its initial vaccination programme, workers are now returning to offices and other places of work, and citizens in general are reengaging into the community. Eurofound will be releasing important new research this autumn investigating how COVID-19 has impacted our lives and what these changes mean for Europe.

92% of Slovakian companies report difficulties in recruiting adequately skilled employees, amid high youth unemployment

92% of Slovakian companies report difficulties in recruiting adequately skilled employees, amid high youth unemployment

More than 9 out of 10 establishments with 10 or more employees in Slovakia report difficulties in finding suitable candidates for open positions, according to a recent Eurofound report on ‘Tackling labour shortages in EU Member States’. This is the highest proportion in the EU, followed by Romania (90%) and Malta (88%), while rates are lowest in Denmark and Greece (both 57%).

Belgium records relatively low number of job losses during COVID-19 pandemic

Belgium records relatively low number of job losses during COVID-19 pandemic

In spring 2021, around 5% of people in Belgium, who had been employed before the pandemic, reported having lost their job. Compared to the EU average of 10%, Belgium fares comparatively well, with only neighbouring Luxembourg and the Netherlands reporting lower figures, according to Eurofound’s large-scale Living, working and COVID-19 online survey.

French vaccine hesitancy rates among highest in EU

French vaccine hesitancy rates among highest in EU

Fewer than 50% of people in France are likely to take the COVID-19 vaccination, according to Eurofound’s large-scale Living, working and COVID-19 online survey. In February and March 2021, just 48.7% replied that they were likely or very likely to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus when it becomes available to them. This is considerably lower than the EU average at 64.4%.

Mental health in Slovenia above EU average during COVID-19 pandemic

Mental health in Slovenia above EU average during COVID-19 pandemic

​Slovenians have fared comparatively well in terms of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to their EU counterparts standing at 53.2 on a scale of 100, behind only Denmark and Finland. According to Eurofound’s large-scale Living, w​orking and COVID-19 online survey, the EU average was 45.3 in spring 2021.

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Eurofound, a tripartite European Union Agency, provides knowledge to assist in the development of social, employment and work-related policies

Eurofound (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions) is a tripartite EU body, whose mission is to provide knowledge to assist in the development of better social, employment and work-related policies.

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