The relocalisation of much economic activity to central and eastern Europe as a result of EU enlargement poses significant challenges to European works councils (EWCs): a diversity of cultures, languages and concepts of participation. This report examines 10 case studies of EWCs in four new...

Over the last decade, Foundation research has examined effective ways of promoting the participation of older workers in the labour market, to enhance their contribution and productivity, and prevent their early exit and unemployment. This report extends the research to the new Member States and...

What is the ownership structure of housing in Europe following enlargement? Is there a significant difference between the 'old' and 'new' Member States as regards available living space? What are the perceptions of quality of the local environment in Europe? How does satisfaction with housing...

The Lisbon agenda has set EU Member States the challenge of increasing employment rates, especially for women and for older workers. In order for the targets to be met, it will be necessary to attract these groups into the labour force in increasing numbers, and to retain them there. For this to...

The European Union of 25 Member States is a diverse and heterogeneous body. Culture, political traditions and living conditions vary within and between the 25 countries and there are large differences in quality of life. Possible further enlargement to embrace up to four more countries will...

The current socio-economic, demographic and cultural changes under way in Europe are forcing changes in the way people organise their time and income over the life course. Such changes have raised concerns about the sustainability of existing social protection systems and about the need to adapt...

This concept paper is intended to create the framework for implementing a proposed project, involving cooperation between local and regional actors in the area of integration policy at the local level. The paper first analyses the meaning of the term u0091integrationu0092 and locates it in the...

The Foundationu0092s Establishment Survey on Working Time and Worku0096Life Balance 2004u00962005 set out to map the use of a variety of working time arrangements in companies, to assess the reasons for their introduction and their impact. This report presents an overview of the surveyu0092s...

Initiatives promoting reconciliation of work and family life have become popular across Europe as part of employment policies as well as social policies dealing, among other things, with the challenges of competitiveness, the renewed Lisbon targets for increased participation in the labour...

Considerable differences exist between the working conditions of various sectors in Finland, with employees in the local government sector reporting particularly unfavourable working conditions. According to results from the Working Life Barometer 2005, employees in this sector find their work...