Abstract/Sommario: Advances in ICT have opened the door to new ways of organising work. We are shifting from a regular, bureaucratic and ‘factory-based’ working time pattern towards a more flexible model of work. Telework and ICT-based mobile work (TICTM) has emerged in this transition, giving workers and employers the ability to adapt the time and location of work to their needs. Despite the flexibility and higher level of worker autonomy inherent in TICTM, there are risks that this work arrangement lea ...; [Leggi tutto...] Advances in ICT have opened the door to new ways of organising work. We are shifting from a regular, bureaucratic and ‘factory-based’ working time pattern towards a more flexible model of work. Telework and ICT-based mobile work (TICTM) has emerged in this transition, giving workers and employers the ability to adapt the time and location of work to their needs. Despite the flexibility and higher level of worker autonomy inherent in TICTM, there are risks that this work arrangement leads to the deterioration of work–life balance, higher stress levels and failing worker health.

Abstract/Sommario: This Yearbook sets out to distil Eurofound’s key findings during 2009. The first to be published as part of Eurofound’s four-year work programme ‘Better work, better life’ can deliver only a partial picture of Eurofound’s research findings, given the breadth of the work undertaken every year. However, as a glance through the Yearbook reveals, the impact of the recession dominated Eurofound research across its various areas of expertise. Moreover, Eurofound’s periodic, longitudinal rese ...; [Leggi tutto...] This Yearbook sets out to distil Eurofound’s key findings during 2009. The first to be published as part of Eurofound’s four-year work programme ‘Better work, better life’ can deliver only a partial picture of Eurofound’s research findings, given the breadth of the work undertaken every year. However, as a glance through the Yearbook reveals, the impact of the recession dominated Eurofound research across its various areas of expertise. Moreover, Eurofound’s periodic, longitudinal research proved its worth, demonstrating the changes that have followed in the wake of the downturn to date.

Abstract/Sommario: This second annual Yearbook on Living and working in Europe 2010 aims to convey the main findings of some of Eurofound's key currents of research – in particular, results and analysis from its three pan-European surveys on company practices, working conditions and quality of life. All the surveys now enable us to paint some pictures of trends over time, crucial for understanding how Europe is developing and the changing challenges it is encountering. Not least among these challenges is ...; [Leggi tutto...] This second annual Yearbook on Living and working in Europe 2010 aims to convey the main findings of some of Eurofound's key currents of research – in particular, results and analysis from its three pan-European surveys on company practices, working conditions and quality of life. All the surveys now enable us to paint some pictures of trends over time, crucial for understanding how Europe is developing and the changing challenges it is encountering. Not least among these challenges is the creation of a truly multicultural European society, a task being undertaken daily by both majority and minority communities. As detailed in last year’s publication, European governments and social partners are still dealing with the effects of the economic crisis; in many countries, short-time working schemes were extended or introduced as one response. Eurofound’s Yearbook also outlines how such responses to the crisis may also provide an opportunity, highlighting ways of adapting such schemes to combine both greater flexibility and greater security. Such adaptation can only take place with the cooperation of the social partners: the Yearbook 2010 looks at how both trade unions and employer organisations are adapting to meet the challenges of changing times.

Abstract/Sommario: This third annual Yearbook on Living and working in Europe 2011 provide a collection of data on the working conditions that European workers experience every day, on the living conditions and quality of life that citizens enjoy and on workplace practices prevalent in European companies. All three surveys have been conducted repeatedly at regular intervals so that trends can be captured. Close monitoring of labour market developments lead to other interesting insights, like the fact tha ...; [Leggi tutto...] This third annual Yearbook on Living and working in Europe 2011 provide a collection of data on the working conditions that European workers experience every day, on the living conditions and quality of life that citizens enjoy and on workplace practices prevalent in European companies. All three surveys have been conducted repeatedly at regular intervals so that trends can be captured. Close monitoring of labour market developments lead to other interesting insights, like the fact that Europe has created better jobs but not more. The 2011 Yearbook can only provide a partial picture of the broad range of work undertaken by Eurofound during the past year.

Abstract/Sommario: The third wave of Eurofound’s European Company Survey was carried out in 2013. It surveyed management representatives in over 24,000 establishments; where available, employee representatives were also interviewed – in 6,800 of these establishments. The survey captured workplace practices in terms of work organisation, human resource management, direct participation and social dialogue. After setting out the findings, this report then examines how these practices relate to each other a ...; [Leggi tutto...] The third wave of Eurofound’s European Company Survey was carried out in 2013. It surveyed management representatives in over 24,000 establishments; where available, employee representatives were also interviewed – in 6,800 of these establishments. The survey captured workplace practices in terms of work organisation, human resource management, direct participation and social dialogue. After setting out the findings, this report then examines how these practices relate to each other and to the outcomes for companies and workers. Overall, it finds that establishments that used joint employee-management decision-making on daily tasks, have a moderately structured internal organisation, make a limited investment in human resource management but have extensive practices for direct participation score best both in terms of establishment performance and workplace well-being.

Abstract/Sommario: Young people with disabilities or health problems face particular difficulties in accessing employment. Active inclusion policy is seen as the most appropriate policy instrument for combating the exclusion of these young people from the labour market. This study examines the implementation of active inclusion policy at national level in 11 EU Member States. The study reviews policy in these countries and compiles information from 44 case studies of good practice among diverse and innov ...; [Leggi tutto...] Young people with disabilities or health problems face particular difficulties in accessing employment. Active inclusion policy is seen as the most appropriate policy instrument for combating the exclusion of these young people from the labour market. This study examines the implementation of active inclusion policy at national level in 11 EU Member States. The study reviews policy in these countries and compiles information from 44 case studies of good practice among diverse and innovative service providers. The study concludes that policy and practice need to focus more keenly on these young people, to learn from available evidence, and to take a more joined-up approach to service delivery.

Abstract/Sommario: The issue of over-indebtedness continues to be a concern, particularly among some population groups and in Member States where recent increases can be observed. This report provides an overview of the main causes, triggers and consequences of household over-indebtedness, including the costs to society. It then examines two policy responses in the EU and Norway: debt advisory services and debt settlement procedures. While the findings show that in the wake of the global financial crisis ...; [Leggi tutto...] The issue of over-indebtedness continues to be a concern, particularly among some population groups and in Member States where recent increases can be observed. This report provides an overview of the main causes, triggers and consequences of household over-indebtedness, including the costs to society. It then examines two policy responses in the EU and Norway: debt advisory services and debt settlement procedures. While the findings show that in the wake of the global financial crisis, such services and procedures have generally become more widely available and accessible, gaps remain. The overall aim of the report is to draw the attention of national and EU-level policymakers to ways to improve policy responses to household over-indebtedness.

Abstract/Sommario: This sixth annual review of working conditions in the EU outlines relevant legislative and policy developments during the period 2008–2009 in the context of labour market mobility and demographic change. It also explores a range of issues and challenges related to working life and the workplace. It focuses in particular on four critical dimensions: career development and employment security, health and well-being, skills and competence development, and work–life balance.

Abstract/Sommario: The four drivers of change identified in Eurofound’s 2009-2012 work programme, globalisation, demographic change, technological change and climate change, remain challenges at global and European levels. These challenges are reflected in the Europe 2020 strategy. The demographic changes in particular are amplified in dealing with the impact of the recession. The impact of the economic and employment crisis sees greater emphasis on some socio-economic priorities, such as: measures to st ...; [Leggi tutto...] The four drivers of change identified in Eurofound’s 2009-2012 work programme, globalisation, demographic change, technological change and climate change, remain challenges at global and European levels. These challenges are reflected in the Europe 2020 strategy. The demographic changes in particular are amplified in dealing with the impact of the recession. The impact of the economic and employment crisis sees greater emphasis on some socio-economic priorities, such as: measures to stimulate job creation, competitiveness and employment; labour market activation, youth employment and ageing workforce; structural reforms in Member States to ensure long-term sustainability of their public finances and social protection systems; reducing poverty and social exclusion.