Managers at Eurofound’s Strategic Dialogue: A Reality Check on Working Conditions

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Eurofound is the EU Agency for the improvement of living and working conditions.

Eurofound research focuses on the four policy areas mandated in the Founding Regulation – working conditions, industrial relations, employment and living conditions.

European managers have a particular interest in the data and research results presented by Eurofound, as they not only guide the world of work towards inclusion and equity but also contribute to improving productivity.

Knowing that, Eurofound invited CEC European Managers to a pivotal closed-door meeting with Europe’s social partners.

It was held on 17 June 2025 at Eurofound’s Brussels office. The event marked a significant step in shaping the European Commission’s upcoming Quality Jobs Roadmap and showcased Eurofound’s first findings from its 2024 European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS).

This survey was also discussed at the Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunities between Women and Men held the day before at the European Commission facilities (read  here Managers at the Heart of the EU Gender Equality Debate).

As the voice of Europe’s managerial workforce, CEC European Managers welcomed the opportunity to bring the practical experiences and priorities of European managers into this essential conversation on job quality, a topic moving to the forefront of the EU’s social agenda.

“Managers are at the crossroads of implementation—they shape work environments, adapt to rapid technological shifts, and act as intermediaries between company goals and employee well-being,” said a CEC Director Olga Molina.

We’re pleased that Eurofound recognises the need to include managerial insight as part of the data-driven discussion on quality jobs.

Olga Molina

Director CEC European Managers

The 2024 EWCS presents an updated, detailed picture of the changing nature of work across Europe.

This year’s edition incorporates comparisons with previous surveys from 2010 and 2015, offering valuable insight into evolving workplace trends.

Among the key takeaways shared with social partners were:

  • Persistent Gender Disparities: Despite gains, only 18% of male workers report having a female manager. Accommodations for menstrual and menopause-related issues remain largely absent or poorly communicated.

  • Challenges in Work Predictability: Many workers in agriculture and construction sectors still report uncertainty over their working hours—highlighting vulnerabilities in low-income and manual jobs.

  • Digital Transition Pressure: The growing influence of AI and algorithmic management—particularly in finance, transport, and education—is increasing cognitive load rather than reducing it. Managers face the dual burden of adapting to digital systems while guiding teams through the transformation.

  • Hybrid Work’s Double-Edged Sword: While offering flexibility, hybrid models have contributed to a “flexibility paradox”, especially impacting women, who continue to bear a disproportionate share of unpaid care work.

  • Training Gaps and Career Prospects: Training opportunities have declined slightly, with noticeable sectoral imbalances. This trend risks undermining managers’ ability to reskill teams and keep pace with labour market changes.

Managers as Levers for Quality Jobs

Enhancing job quality cannot be done without empowering those who manage people and processes. As a European social partner, CEC European Managers continues to advocate for structural investments in managerial training, stronger gender equality initiatives, and clearer frameworks for digital transition—where managers are not only passive implementers but active drivers of change.

Eurofound’s data is vital, but it gains real strength when interpreted alongside lived managerial realities from across Europe.

Social partners had the opportunity to share their feedback with Eurofound’s lead researchers—Barbara Gerstenberger, Agnes Parent-Thirion, and Jorge Cabrita—who presented the methodology and early insights from the EWCS.

The discussions will inform both Eurofound’s upcoming overview report and ongoing preparations for the European Commission’s Quality Jobs Roadmap, expected by the end of 2025.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Eurofound and fellow social partners to ensure Europe’s future jobs are not only decent—but driven by good leadership, smart innovation, and inclusive practices.”