EU citizens are protected by many rights throughout their career and life. There are safeguards in place for all areas of your life: when you’re job hunting, when you\u2019re working, and when you start a family.<\/p>\n
All of this is anchored in the European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan, that was endorsed by EU leaders in 2021. Through it, the EU is creating more job opportunities, fighting inequality and promoting social inclusion through high-quality work and training access.<\/p>\n
In Ireland this year, at the All Together Now festival held in Portroe, County Waterford, the EU\u2019s Directorate-General for Employment, Social affairs and Inclusion hosted the ‘Let\u2019s Make It Work<\/a>\u2019<\/a> <\/a> stand to raise awareness of citizens\u2019 social and employment rights in a clear and accessible manner. <\/p>\n At the stand, participants had meaningful conversations around quality jobs, skills, and work-life balance. Inspired by real conversations at the ‘Let’s Make It Work\u2019 stand at All Together Now, this imagined dialogue explores how EU social rights shape our everyday lives.”<\/p>\n Hello there and welcome to the European Commission Let\u2019s Make It Work stand, how\u2019ve you been? Been up to anything fun? <\/p>\n Well, yeah actually, I recently spent a week in Italy.<\/p>\n Oh Italy, sounds like a lovely getaway. And no surprises from work when you returned? <\/p>\n Well, my inbox had 517 unread emails. That took a while to get through. <\/p>\n I’d say so. Aside from that, your job remained the same and you still got paid while you were away?. I\u2019d say it’s comforting knowing that it’s there. <\/p>\n I didn\u2019t really think about that but Well, yeah of course I did. it is. Why do you say that?<\/p>\n Well, it\u2019s because you have the EU to thank for that. <\/p>\n The EU? I don\u2019t think it\u2019s done that much for us. It\u2019s just a bunch of people sitting around having meetings and not contributing much.<\/p>\n I wouldn\u2019t be so quick to judge. For one, that trip to Italy is protected by the EU. It enshrined that every worker gets four weeks of paid, guaranteed leave.<\/p>\n Ok, that\u2019s nice, but that\u2019s just one part of my life. What about the other 48 weeks of the year?<\/p>\n Oh, they\u2019ve certainly got you covered on that. In recent years, the EU has made significant efforts to ensure that every citizen has a healthy and strong work-life balance<\/a>, recognising that life is more than just work. <\/p>\n It means you can go away without having to worry about your job changing or being gone when you return. You expect your job to remain the same when you return, right? <\/p>\n Well, yeah, of course. It would be silly if that happened. Let me guess who I should thank\u2026<\/p>\n Yep, the EU. It ensures that all workers, including yourself, have clear and predictable working conditions<\/a>. This means you know, in writing, what is expected of you and your employer, as well as the terms of your contract and more. <\/p>\n More importantly, it prevents any sneaky business from happening. You don’t want to return home and find out your job requires you to work longer hours or you have to sweep chimneys. <\/p>\n Sweeping chimneys? I’d probably take that over trawling through all those emails earlier, to be honest.<\/p>\n Sure it can feel that way, but jokes aside, these measures are to protect you in all areas of work.<\/p>\n Take the probationary period<\/a>, which can’t go on any longer than six months. It\u2019s a way of balancing the needs of both employee and employer, so they can establish if you\u2019re a good fit for the company while ensuring they don\u2019t abuse it. <\/p>\n These measures also apply to part-time and zero-hour contracts as the EU knows that people can\u2019t live and work to their fullest potential if they\u2019re stressed and working with uncertainty. <\/p>\n That\u2019s a relief to know. Work can be stressful enough, and we don\u2019t need the rug pulled from under our feet.<\/p>\n Exactly, and all of this is to develop what the EU describes as quality jobs<\/a>, which contribute to your well-being, productivity, and societal benefits.<\/p>\n Imagine a world where you didn\u2019t have your hobbies, time to see friends and family. <\/p>\n I\u2019d hate it if I had to drop photography or the five-a-side football I play on Tuesdays. They\u2019re important to me.<\/p>\n And it’s what makes you who you are. It\u2019s important to say this isn\u2019t just for hobbies. By providing stable and adaptable working conditions, these measures enable you to adapt to your needs so you can have a fulfilling working and personal life. <\/p>\n It also applies to those who are caring for others. For parents, you have the right to healthcare, affordable childcare and long-term care, so you can pursue your career knowing your family is taken care of. <\/p>\n These measures are the standard and also apply to those who are self-employed or have non-standard<\/a> employment arrangements. <\/p>\n That\u2019s good to hear, and for the people in need, wouldn\u2019t it be good to give them the skills so they can better themselves? There are loads of jobs out there unfilled, and it\u2019s better to train people to take them.<\/p>\n Absolutely, and it may not surprise you that this is also a core mission of the EU. <\/p>\n