This report from the European Working Conditions Observatory (Eurofound) examines trends in working conditions and employment status in the retail sector in the EU27 countries and Norway between 2001 and 2010.
The considerable expansion of the sector over the past 20 years or so is associated with a transformation in its competitive structure, greater use of technology and changes in the regulatory framework.
Large companies now dominate at the expense of the numerous small and micro businesses that once characterised the sector in most countries. One result is a significant decline in the number of self-employed workers and a substantial increase in the number of part-time jobs (many held by women) and non-permanent contracts.
These changes have affected career patterns and introduced new risks to employees’ health, especially psychosocial ones. Recent initiatives by the social partners have aimed above all to regulate flexibility and working time arrangements, promote training, reduce the risk of robbery and enhance employee well-being.
The study was compiled on the basis of individual national reports submitted by the EWCO correspondents. The text of each of these national reports is available below. The reports have not been edited or approved by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The national reports were drawn up in response to a questionnaire (Word document) and should be read in conjunction with it.
Country reports at bottom of web page
Comparative study (PDF 112pp)
Executive summary (PDF 2pp)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment