Show Notes
This episode examines the evolving landscape of European working conditions, situated at the nexus of profound technological transformation. Mary McCaughey speaks with Barbara Gerstenberger, Eurofound's Head of Unit for Working Life, who leverages insights from the 35-year history of the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS). This survey series offers agranular perspective on the longitudinal shifts in European labour. The discussion assesses how artificial intelligence and digitalisation are reshaping employment, drawing parallels with historical industrial shifts, while acknowledging the continuous adaptive capacity of the world of work.
More from Eurofound Talks
Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union is now underway. Until the end of the year, Ireland will chair Council meetings, build consensus among Member States, and represent the Council in its relations with other EU institutions. In this episode of Eurofound Talks, Mary McCaughey speaks with Noelle O'Connell, former CEO of European Movement Ireland, Vice-President of European Movement International, and founder of Merrion Advisory. Together, they reflect on Ireland's evolving relationship with the European Union, the country's growing influence in European policymaking, and the challenges and opportunities facing Europe in the years ahead.
Over the past two decades, European labour markets have undergone significant transformation, with a marked rise in non-standard forms of employment such as part-time and temporary work. While these arrangements can offer flexibility, they can also lead to situations of vulnerability, especially when they are involuntary or when multiple disadvantages combine. In this episode of #EurofoundTalks, Mary McCaughey speaks with Eurofound expert Karel Fric to explore the employment and working conditions of the most vulnerable workers, looking at how vulnerability is defined, who is most affected, and how this challenge is evolving across Europe.
Since its launch in 1990, the European Working Conditions Survey has provided a comprehensive overview of working conditions in Europe. The EWCS 2024 asserts that the European labour market is in transition, pointing to a decline in long working hours and uneven improvements in job quality. It indicates that the EU workforce remains resilient amid profound geopolitical and technological change - bolstered by women and migrants - yet deep gender and sector divides persist. However, how can we be assured that these findings are accurate? All too frequently, large-scale changes in the labour market, from 'quiet quitting' to AI job destruction, capture headlines but the reality is often more nuanced. In this episode of Eurofound Talks, Mary McCaughey invites Senior Research Manager Agnès Parent-Thirion to talk about the European Working Conditions Survey behind the headlines, and the work that goes into carrying it out.
As the climate crisis intensifies, is Europe ready for the heat? In this episode of Eurofound Talks, Mary McCaughey explores the renter’s trap and the growing affordability crisis with experts from the EEA and Eurofound. Despite 80% of Europeans feeling the impact of extreme weather, a staggering 38% cannot afford to keep their homes cool. From the risk of "renovictions" to regional disparities in preparedness, the discussion bridges the gap between EU green ambitions and the stark reality of households. Discover why individual awareness isn't enough and what collective policy actions are needed to protect the vulnerable.
The European Union is navigating a period of profoundtransformation - from the cost‑of‑living crisis to the green and digital transitions, demographic shifts, and geopolitical uncertainty.