Do you know what social Europe can do for you?

Concerned about safety? Social Europe Improving working conditions
	The European Union is working with the Member States, trade unions and businesses to make workplaces safer and healthier. Since 2002, we have seen a 17% drop in fatal accidents and a 20% fall in accidents leading to absence from work of three days or more. This translates into over 800 lives saved each year. Working conditions

Time for a change? Social Europe Removing barriers to job mobility
	Since 1957, EU citizens have the right to work in another Member State, but only 2% of Europeans takes advantage of this right. Working in another European country brings individuals the chance to learn a new language, discover a new culture and develop new skills. It is also crucial to boosting jobs and growth. That’s why the European Union is working to encourage mobility, break down bureaucratic obstacles and promote language learning. Job mobility

Need a helping hand? Social Europe Combating social exclusion and poverty
	Making sure every citizen is part of society is vital to Europe’s goal for an inclusive and prosperous Europe. The European Union’s role is to help Member States work together and share experiences on action they take to fight poverty and social exclusion. We all want to enjoy secure and adequate pensions and high quality healthcare. The European Union helps Member States share experiences on modernising pensions and healthcare so that they remain adequate and accessible for us and our children. Exclusion and poverty

A place for everyone. Social Europe Promoting diversity
	Everyone in the European Union has the right to enjoy equal treatment and a life free from discrimination. Diversity can bring huge benefits to work and to society in general, yet we are a long way from achieving equal opportunities for all. European legislation prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation and religion or belief. But these laws are only a first step. To achieve real equality, attitudes and practice must change in work, education, healthcare and across the board. Diversity

Breaking stereotypes? Social Europe Promoting equality between women and men
	The employment rate for women continues to lag behind that of men. Despite higher educational attainments than men, they are under-represented in positions of responsibility and are paid on average 17% less than men. The European Union has been an engine for change and the situation is improving, but this still represents a huge untapped resource in the European economy. Europe guarantees and protects the right to equal treatment and supports activities to promote equality between women and men in all aspects of life. Equality between women and men

Life can be a balancing act. Social Europe Working for better work/life balance
	Juggling work and private life can be difficult, especially for women – who are still primarily responsible for domestic work and caring for children and other dependents. Sharing family responsibilities helps both men and women achieve a better work/life balance, giving both of them the opportunity to have a satisfying career and to enjoy their private and family life. Europe promotes provision of childcare facilities, a suitable level of care for dependents such as sick and elderly relatives, adequate parental leave and new forms of working. Work/life balance

Too old for the job? Social Europe Promoting opportunities for all age
	Europe’s population is ageing. Making the most of the full potential of older workers is crucial to supporting growth and employment and to modernising social protection. It would also raise individual well-being. The European Union is encouraging older people to enter and stay in the job market, extending the working life through ‘active ageing’ strategies and more quality jobs. Opportunities for all ages

Learning new skills? Social Europe Promoting training and adaptability
	The European Social Fund is the European Union’s main financial instrument for investing in people. It spends over Euro 10 billion a year across all Member States and regions. The main objective of the ESF is to support employment and help people to improve their education and skills. By doing so, the ESF improves people’s opportunities to find and progress in a job. Restructuring European social fund

Are you in the right job? Social Europe Working for more and better jobs
	The European Union is working to increase employment and fight unemployment by increasing the number of jobs and by improving the quality of work in Europe. It focuses efforts on attracting more people to enter – and remain – in work, making workers and enterprises more adaptable to change, and investing more in education and training for individuals and workers. The European Union helps to coordinate national strategies for increased employment. More and better jobs