The European Socio-economic Classification: A Programme of Statistical Co-operation and Harmonisation Workshop on Application of ESeC Bled, June David Rose & Eric Harrison ISER University of Essex

Eurostat Statistical Harmonisation Programme Aims to create a common set of core units core variables and core classifications for use in European and national social statistics

The ESeC project Expert Group on possibility of EU- SEC appointed by Eurostat in January 2000 Expert Group on possibility of EU- SEC appointed by Eurostat in January 2000 Proposals for an ESeC made in 2001 Feasibility Report Proposals for an ESeC made in 2001 Feasibility Report This report forms the basis for the project This report forms the basis for the project

The Need for ESeC Ongoing enlargement of European Union Ongoing enlargement of European Union Much ‘comparative’ research just uses national statistics from different countries Much ‘comparative’ research just uses national statistics from different countries Need common units and variables Need common units and variables

What is an SEC? A generic term for any measure designed to show how societies are stratified Occupational division of labour forms basis of all SECs SECs may be continuous or categorical measures: ESeC is categorical

Objectives of SECs Two purposes: Discrimination Discrimination Structuring Structuring

Discrimination Grouping individuals with similar socio-economic characteristics into categories Purpose: to analyse a variety of social domains, e.g. health inequalities, educational inequalities, social mobility, income differentials

Structuring Structuring of social statistics, in order to: provide a common language for research across the social and policy sciences provide a common language for research across the social and policy sciences inform the public and policy makers. inform the public and policy makers.

Prototype ESeC Described in User Guide Described in User Guide Based on 3-digit ISCO Based on 3-digit ISCO Common matrix for all EU states Common matrix for all EU states Validation studies give promising results (i.e. ESeC does discriminate and structure in useful ways) Validation studies give promising results (i.e. ESeC does discriminate and structure in useful ways)

Statistical Co-operation So, we have a harmonised ESeC prototype So, we have a harmonised ESeC prototype This workshop is the beginning of what we hope will become an ongoing process of co-operation with NSIs and Eurostat as we continue to develop ESeC This workshop is the beginning of what we hope will become an ongoing process of co-operation with NSIs and Eurostat as we continue to develop ESeC

Next Steps (1) Further research would allow us to improve on prototype Further research would allow us to improve on prototype This research should involve NSIs and academics in each member state This research should involve NSIs and academics in each member state BUT we also need employment relations data for each state as basis for new research BUT we also need employment relations data for each state as basis for new research

Employment relations data Either (a) collect ER data with special EU survey Or (b) collect more limited data via LFS

Objectives of New Research Data could then be analysed for each state and ESeC could be re-based on national occupational classifications Data could then be analysed for each state and ESeC could be re-based on national occupational classifications This would improve harmonisation and allow national variations of ERs to be reflected This would improve harmonisation and allow national variations of ERs to be reflected

UK LFS employment relations questions (1) (1)Which of the following best describes how you are paid in your present job? Monthly salary plus performance/ Monthly salary only/ Weekly wage/Hourly paid/Piecework/Other Monthly salary plus performance/ Monthly salary only/ Weekly wage/Hourly paid/Piecework/Other (2)Are you on a recognised pay scale with increments, either automatic or performance related? Yes/No/Don’t know Yes/No/Don’t know (3)If you decided to leave your job, how much notice are you officially required to give? Three months or more/Less than one week/One week but less than one month/One month but less than three months/Don’t know Three months or more/Less than one week/One week but less than one month/One month but less than three months/Don’t know

UK LFS employment relations questions (2) (4) In your sort of work, are there opportunities for promotion, either in your current organisation or by changing employers? Yes/No/ Don’t know (5) Who decides what time you start and leave work? Flexitime system/ Employer decides/I decide within certain limits/ Negotiated with employer (6) Does your job require you to design and plan important aspects of your own work, or is your work largely specified for you? I am required to design and plan my work/Work is largely specified by others/Other (7) How much influence do you personally have in deciding what tasks you are to do? A great deal/ A fair amount/Not much/ None at all

Next Steps (2) Process of co-operation starts at this workshop Process of co-operation starts at this workshop After workshop, consortium meets to decide how to move forward in light of workshop discussions After workshop, consortium meets to decide how to move forward in light of workshop discussions We will then make proposals for NSIs and Eurostat to consider We will then make proposals for NSIs and Eurostat to consider

Conclusions We have achieved the main objectives of the current project: a prototype ESeC that discriminates and structures We have achieved the main objectives of the current project: a prototype ESeC that discriminates and structures More could and should be done via new research on employment relations and on the measurement of management and supervision More could and should be done via new research on employment relations and on the measurement of management and supervision Best way forward – ESeC via national occupational classifications? Best way forward – ESeC via national occupational classifications?