Regulating external and internal forms of flexibility at local level: five European regions compared

Legislators at European and national levels have encouraged the wider use of contingent forms of employment and adaptable forms of work organization. Less attention has been paid to their regulation by employers and trade unions (and works councils) at local, enterprise level. A comparative analysis is presented of the regulation of these new forms of employment and work through processes of negotiation and consultation at workplace level in regions of five EU countries. Drawing on the findings of parallel surveys conducted in the five regions, the different new forms being utilized and their regulation between management and employees are outlined. Negotiation and consultation is most evident over practices associated with adaptable forms of work organization. Yet even where employee representatives are present, a significant ‘participation gap’ is identified in all five regions, which is most evident over the utilization of contingent forms of employment, and over the terms and conditions of such workers.