The Future of Employment Representation: An empirical study on how part time work levels impact the workplace performance of employment representation bodies across Europe (2013-2019)

Abstract

This empirical study investigates the relationship between part-time employment levels and the effectiveness of employment representation bodies (ERBs) in enhancing workplace performance across Europe. Utilizing 2013-2019 data from the European Company Surveys, the research analyses the perceptions of management regarding the impact of ERBs, such as works councils and labour unions, on productivity in establishments as the share of part-time employees rises. The findings reveal significant regional differences in how part-time employment influences the perceived effectiveness of ERBs. In Germanic and Scandinavian countries, higher levels of part-time employment are found to relate with a lower perceived added value of works councils. Consecutively, this effect is insignificant for labour unions and dual systems, or other country clusters. The study highlights the need for tailored policy interventions to ensure effective employee representation in increasingly part-time labour markets, contributing to the broader discourse on labour market flexibility and employee involvement. These insights are crucial for policymakers, businesses, and labour organizations aiming to balance productivity and employee representation in dynamic labour environments.