Eurofound’s 2015 work programme outlines a dual challenge for the European Union and the Member States: finding a way out of the crisis while pursuing the mid-term ambition of achieving progress towards a competitive and fair Europe. Although the financial situation in Europe seems to have stabilised, the recovery is still very modest and needs to be consolidated.
In the wake of the economic and financial crisis, many European governments have cut spending on healthcare services. A new report from Eurofound identifies the groups most likely to face barriers to healthcare as a consequence of the crisis, including a number of new groups that have been generally overlooked by policymakers.
A new report out today gives a broad overview on psychosocial risks at European workplaces and provides examples on the way forward at political as well as company level. The report is presented today to national labour inspectors and practitioners from several southern European countries in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and to EU-level policymakers in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday 16 October 2014.
Eurofound hosts the 2014 annual Industrial Relations Europe Conference (IREC) between 11-12 September 2014. The event gathers Europe's leading Industrial Relations experts and researchers, sharing research findings and looking ahead to new perspectives for industrial relations, social and employment policies in Europe.
Eurofound’s fifth annual yearbook, Living and working in Europe, based on the Agency’s research from 2013, describes developments in the EU in the wake of the crisis, focusing on major topic areas including changes in labour markets and employment, efforts to tackle youth unemployment, innovation in workplaces and public trust in institutions.
The average collectively agreed weekly working time in the European Union stood at 38.1 hours in 2013, according to Eurofound’s latest working time update. The combined total of agreed annual leave and public holidays in the EU varied from 40 days in Germany and France to 29 days in Belgium - a difference of more than two working weeks. The Working Time Developments in Europe 2013 report is out.
In cooperation with the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Eurofound is organising a high-level conference Social Dialogue as a driver in shaping and improving employment and working conditions in the EU in Athens on Monday 23 June 2014. Keynote speakers include Nobel Price winner Sir Christopher Pissarides and Ioannis Vroutsis, Minister of Labour, Social Security and Welfare.
The crisis has triggered considerable changes in wage-bargaining regimes in a number of countries, further extending the existing tendency towards decentralisation in others. Eurofound launches today a report on 'Changes to wage-setting mechanisms in the context of the crisis and the EU’s new economic governance regime' at a lunch time debate with European Social Partners in Brussels, Belgium.
Part-time work facilitates a better work–life balance – particularly, it seems, for people aged 50+. Among people aged 50+, both in and out of employment, there is a preference for more part-time options. Today we launch our new Foundation Findings - 3EQLS Policy Brief - on Work preferences after 50.
Nominal collectively agreed pay increases remained limited in the majority of EU Member States in 2013. However, because of lower inflation rates, employees in a number of European countries saw the purchasing power of their wages increase, reflecting a change from the post-crisis trend that had been observed since 2011. Eurofound’s annual update on pay is out.
Micro and small companies constitute the backbone of private business in Europe. Despite their crucial place in the economy, there has been little research on role of social dialogue for good working conditions, and implementing health & safety at the workplace, in micro and small companies. Eurofound's new report out today is about to change that.
Eurofound publishes a report which looks at families in the economic crisis, and outlines relevant kinds of policies and services that can best protect families from the risks of poverty and social exclusion, in such areas as social protection benefits, housing, childcare and healthcare. The findings are presented at a Greek EU Presidency conference in Athens, Greece, today 29 April.
Encouraging people to talk about their problems at work, especially psychosocial problems, is a key element in prevention strategies. Eurofound releases a new report that looks at industrial relations practices regarding health and safety strategies in the European steel sector by analysing company practices in ArcelorMittal (FR), Rautaruukki (FIN) and Salzgitter AG (DE).
What can the European Union do for families in terms of improved well-being, work-life balance and care? The countdown is ON for the #FamiliesVOTE2014 debate 13:00 - 15:00 CET on 28 March, aimed at helping families make the choice for the 2014 European Parliament elections #EP2014..
The number of young people living at home with their parents across Europe has increased from 44% to 48% between 2007 and 2011, according to new research by Eurofound. The ‘Social situation of young people in Europe’, presented to policymakers in Dublin today, offer comparative insight across EU Member States of the social situation of youth in Europe and evolving trends.
The economic crisis has hit EU countries hard, and the unemployment rate of women and young people have risen to unprecedented levels. This puts a lot of pressure on families, and the EU as a whole. What can be done to ensure young people have either a job, or an internship or a place in education or training? Join the debate on what the EU can and will do for families’ wellbeing on 28 March.
The 'Pay in Europe in the 21st century' report provides comparative time series on wage-bargaining outcomes across the EU Member States and Norway. It also investigates the different systems and levels of minimum wages in Europe at present, evaluating the implications of a hypothetical scenario of a minimum wage set at 60% of the median national wage.
Recent months have seen an improvement in economic outlook but large-scale restructuring activity in the EU continues to result in greater announced job losses than job gains. The latest European Restructuring Monitor ERM quarterly is out, highlighting job loss and job creation activities and restructuring trends across the European Union.
Workplace violence is a social phenomenon of a certain magnitude. Overall, approximately 6% of European workers report having experienced some form of workplace violence, either physical or psychological, in the past 12 months. Eurofound has charted and monitored workplace violence since 1995, and its latest Foundation Findings show big differences between countries and sectors.
Overall subjective well-being has remained stable, but happiness and work-life balance levels have declined, and more people are having trouble making ends meet. This report explores patterns of change in the quality of life in Europe over the last decade, focusing on aspects of everyday life, economic factors, and on issues relevant to public policy, using Eurofound's multidimensional approach.
