This report explores the growing role of the private sector in the provision of public services in the EU. The research is based on sector-specific case studies carried out in Lithuania, Spain, Sweden and the UK. It focuses specifically on social services of general interest (SSGIs) in the areas...

Many people in Europe do not receive the social benefits to which they are entitled. This is the case across countries and for many types of benefits. Addressing this ‘non-take-up’ of benefits is critical for two key reasons: benefits do not fulfil their objective if they do not reach the...

This report summarises recent Eurofound research and data on working time and work–life balance issues. Its specific objective is to present findings relevant to the ongoing political debate in relation to the proposed revisions of the Working Time Directive (2003/88/EU). The report includes...

This analytical report addresses the interesting theme of participation in civil society, exploring the diverse range of activities that constitute active participation. A central part of the analysis involves identifying factors that influence participation, or in other words understanding why...

This report examines quality of life from the unique perspective of the two acceding countries, Bulgaria and Romania. The historical, political, socioeconomic and cultural contexts of these two countries have meant that their experiences are often quite different to those of the EU Member...

This study aims to provide the necessary information to encourage sectoral social dialogue in the sport and active leisure sector. The EIRO series of representativeness studies, carried out at the request of the European Commission, sets out to identify the representative social partner...

This report gives an overview of working conditions, job quality, workers’ health and job sustainability in the food and beverage service activities sector (NACE 56). It is based mostly on the fifth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), which gathers data on working conditions and the...

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,...

This issue of Foundation Focus looks at win–win practices in European workplaces that help companies to grow and innovate, while also increasing their competitiveness. What does the European Company Survey tell us about workplace practices related to work organisation, human resources...

This report gives an overview of working conditions, job quality, workers’ health and job sustainability in the textiles and clothing sector (NACE13 and 14). It is based mostly on the fifth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), which gathers data on working conditions and the quality of...