Work plays a significant role in the lives of people, companies and society at large. Since its inception, the European Union has paid considerable attention to work, and improving working conditions is one of its key policy goals. The European Working Conditions Survey series (the ‘EWCS’) aims to: Measure working conditions across European countries on a harmonised basis; analyse relationships between different aspects of working conditions; identify groups at risks and issues of concern, as well as areas of progress; monitor trends over time; and contribute to European policy development, in particular on quality of work and employment issues.

(©European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, 2012, Dublin Ireland, http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/pubdocs/2011/82/en/1/EF1182EN.pdf )