Staff welfare

Updated 06/2011

Because the EU is committed to creating not just more jobs but also better jobs through the Lisbon strategy, EU law requires companies to meet a variety of social rules contributing to sustainable development.

Non-discrimination

To ensure the right of EU citizens to work anywhere in the EU, employers are not allowed to discriminate against nationals from other EU countries when recruiting, making staff redundant or regarding any other working conditions.

EU law prohibits employers from discriminating on the grounds of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Employers are further required to make reasonable accommodation at work for workers with disabilities.

Gender equality

Employers must treat men and women equally, particularly as regards access to employment, working conditions, parental leave, promotion and pay.

EU action on gender equality

Health and safety at work

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy working environment for workers. The EU lays down minimum requirements regarding the protection of safety and health of workers. These include general principles concerning the prevention of occupational risks, the elimination of risk and accident factors, and information and training of workers and their representatives.

EU policy on health and safety at work

Labour relations

The EU actively supports voluntary dialogue between employers and employees, and associations representing them. Employers must consult staff representatives on certain issues, e.g. when planning collective redundancies.

Larger companies operating in more than one EU country are required - at the request of their workforce - to set up a European Works Council to inform and consult employees.

To protect employees' rights but enable employers to stay competitive, the EU is promoting the concept of flexicurity - a combination of flexible labour markets with a high level of job security.

Businesses must meet the minimum rules required by law, but are free to go beyond the minimum legal requirements and become more socially responsible.

Taking sustainability further - European Union

Programmes

The EU's PROGRESS programme promotes more and better jobs and equal opportunities for all. It focuses on anti-discrimination, social protection and social inclusion, employment, working conditions and equality between women and men. Under the programme, €743.25 million will be invested in new studies, awareness raising and events between 2007 and 2013.

PROGRESS programme 2007-13

The PROGRESS programme works alongside the European Social Fund (ESF), the EU's main financial tool, to implement its employment and social affairs policies, with an annual budget of around €10 billion.

European Social Fund (ESF)

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

Still need help?

Further help

The European Agency for Health and Safety at Work aims to provide information of use in the field of health and safety at work to EU bodies, EU countries, social partners and those involved in the area and to promote a culture of risk prevention.

European Agency for Health and Safety at Work

The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) provides information, advice and expertise on living and working conditions, industrial relations and managing change for employers, trade unions, EU policy-makers and governments.