Sectoral profiles of working conditions

This report looks at trends in working conditions across different sectors over a five-year period 1995-2000. Basing its findings on the Third European Survey on Working Conditions carried out by the Foundation in 2000 in the 15 EU Member States and Norway, it examines the quality of working life in eighteen different sectors. It analyses the impact of aspects such as physical risks, working hours, and work organisation on the worker's health and well-being. Factors contributing to a favourable or unfavourable work and psychosocial environment include the level of job pressures, control over one's work, skills matching and learning opportunities, task flexibility, and social support from colleagues and boss. The report concludes that in general the most negative changes are an increase in job demands, resulting in work-related stress, and a general de-skilling and decrease in job control.