Survey shows massively increased workload for emergency medical services

Germany

A survey by the health and services union ver.di has revealed that the already high burden on employees in the emergency medical service has increased significantly since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Around 7,000 workers replied to the questionnaire with 39% saying they would change professions immediately if they had the opportunity. There are serious problems with working hours, work intensity, physical and psychological stress and risk of physical assaults. Almost all respondents reported problems balancing work and private life. Staff shortages mean that 61% of employees are (very) often unable to take their legally prescribed breaks or cannot take them completely. Of those over the age of 55, almost half also go to work sick and 84% assume that they will not last until retirement age under the current conditions. Ver.di is calling for urgent action particularly on long working hours. The union has managed to negotiate lower hours in the collective agreement for the Red Cross and is looking for similar measures in the public service.

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Aug. 02, 2018

Overview shows wide variations in paternity and parental leave

Europe

The European Commission has produced a short overview of paternity and parental leave provisions across EU countries revealing that, for example, paternity leave is available in nearly all member states but the length and level of compensation vary considerably. The draft directive on work-life balance proposes two weeks' paternity leave paid at the level of sick pay. While 17 member states already have the two-week minimum only 13 offer it on the basis of at least 66% of previous earnings.

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Sep. 29, 2021

Medical centre staff on strike over pay and workloads

Netherlands

On 28 September workers at seven university medical centres took strike action with only emergency services being maintained. This is the biggest ever action in academic hospitals which employ around 80000 workers. The FNV and CNV trade unions have rejected the employers’ latest offer which would have meant only a 1% pay rise and EUR 750 lump sum in a three-year agreement. They are calling for a 3% pay increase for each year and a minimum increase of EUR 75 a month as well as urgent action on workloads. The unions argue that excessive workloads are creating problems with increasing sickness

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