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Hijdra, Roos W., Marike van Kalken, Stijn de Zeeuw, Arie Dijkstra, Alex Burdorf & Merel Schuring (2025): The Influence of a Health Promotion Program on Health and Paid Employment Among Long-Term Non-employed Individuals in the Netherlands. In: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, S. 1-10. DOI:10.1007/s10926-025-10290-7

Abstract

"Purpose: Long-term unemployment is accompanied by worse health, making it challenging to enter paid employment. This study aims to investigate effects of a health promotion program on physical and mental health, work ability, and entering paid employment among long-term non-employed individuals. Methods: In a longitudinal study, Exercise Works participants (N = 208) and a treatment-as-usual group (N = 117) were followed with measurements at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. The Exercise Works program is a health promotion program that lasts 12 to 18 weeks. It consists of individual- and group-based physical exercises, lifestyle education, and individual coaching for two half days per week. A generalized linear mixed model for repeated measurements was used to investigate changes within individuals in health status, employment participation, and work ability during the Exercise Works program in comparison to the control group. Subgroup analyses were performed based on socio-demographic characteristics and a per protocol analysis. Interviews with 20 participants and 21 professionals were conducted. Results: This study demonstrated no significant improvements in physical and mental health, work ability and being in paid employment participation among participants of Exercise Works compared to the control group. Participants and professionals had a very positive impression of the Exercise Works program. Conclusion: Despite the Exercise Works program being positively received, the effect evaluation did not demonstrate its effectiveness. Complex problems of non-employed persons should be addressed when developing a health promotion program." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Eppel, Rainer, Ulrike Huemer, Helmut Mahringer & Lukas Schmoigl (2024): Active Labour Market Policies: What Works for the Long-term Unemployed? (WIFO working papers 671), Wien, 22 S.

Abstract

"There is still a lack of knowledge on how to effectively help the long-term unemployed into employment. We evaluate a wide range of active labor market policies for this target group, using a dynamic matching approach. Measures vary considerably in the extent to which they improve labor market prospects. Human capital-intensive training programmes that substantially enhance vocational skills and employment programs are most effective, short activating job search training the least. Our results suggest that not only wage subsidies in the private sector, but also direct job creation in the public and non-profit sector can work, if properly designed." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Eppel, Rainer, Ulrike Huemer, Helmut Mahringer & Lukas Schmoigl (2024): Active Labor Market Policies: What Works for the Long-Term Unemployed? In: The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy, Jg. 24, H. 1, S. 141-185. DOI:10.1515/bejeap-2023-0079

Abstract

"There is still a lack of knowledge on how to effectively help the long-term unemployed into employment. We evaluate a wide range of active labour market policies for this target group, using a dynamic matching approach. Measures vary considerably in the extent to which they improve labor market prospects. Human capital-intensive training programs that substantially enhance vocational skills and employment programs are most effective, short activating job search training the least. Our results suggest that not only wage subsidies in the private sector, but also direct job creation in the public and non-profit sectors can work, if properly designed." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © De Gruyter) ((en))

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Georgieff, Alexandre (2024): Faces of joblessness in Switzerland: A people-centred perspective on employment barriers and policies. (OECD social, employment and migration working papers 306), Paris, 36 S. DOI:10.1787/8a4440d0-en

Abstract

"Open unemployment and joblessness in Switzerland are low compared to OECD standards. Yet a comparatively high proportion of working-age individuals remain weakly attached to the labor market, with unstable jobs, or with limited working hours. As an initial step towards a possible in-depth project, this Faces of Joblessness feasibility study provides insight into the nature and incidence of the structural barriers that are likely to prevent individuals from fully engaging in employment and speculates on their possible links with underutilized employment potential. It shows that lack of recent work experience and substantial non-labour or partner income are two key employment barriers in Switzerland. Partner income can be a barrier for women in particular and might be one of the reasons why many women leave stable employment at childbearing age, alongside low supply and high cost of early childhood education and care programs. Workers over 60 also represent a significant underutilized employment potential, as many have taken early retirement. Non-EU migrant are particularly exposed to potential labor market difficulties at younger age, and many of them have low levels of education, poor professional skills or limited work experience. This study also suggests that many jobless are confronted with complex and inter-related employment obstacles." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hansen, Magnus Paulsen, Signe Elmer Christensen & Peter Triantafillou (2024): Legitimating collaboration, collaborating to legitimate: Justification work in “holistic” services for long-term unemployed persons. In: Journal of Social Policy, Jg. 53, H. 3, S. 876-896. DOI:10.1017/S004727942200071X

Abstract

"To address complex social problems, such as long-term unemployment, local authorities in many countries are developing “holistic” or “integrated” services, where multiple actors and professions collaborate with a view to better meet the needs of the individual citizen. By breaking with existing practices and regulations, collaborative services must be legitimized in new ways so as to appear acceptable not only in the eyes of the public and politicians, but also to caseworkers and the long-term unemployed persons. This article examines the multifarious and sometimes neglected efforts to make these collaborative services legitimate in the eyes of this plurality of stakeholders on multiple levels of governance. Our study indicates three distinct but mutually interrelated spheres of audience that require partly conflicting justification work. We also find that the narrow pursuit of justification work to ensure legitimacy with one audience may potentially jeopardize the justification work in the other two." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Irvine, Annie, Joe McKenzie, Christine Brass & Alex Kelley (2024): 'Working With the Whole Person': Employability Keyworker Experiences of Supporting People Furthest From the Labour Market. In: Social Policy and Society, S. 1-17. DOI:10.1017/S1474746424000022

Abstract

"This article explores the experiences of keyworkers within a third-sector employability program targeted at people furthest from work. Using semi-structured qualitative interviews, the study investigated keyworker perspectives on effective elements of program design, and what made the critical difference for those who did move into employment. Echoing previous research, findings confirmed the value of a holistic and personalised approach founded upon a consistent and long-term relationship of trust and support, through which program participants developed the confidence and self-belief that was critical to progression towards employment. However, critical attention to the keyworker perspective offers novel insights, bringing to light challenges in defining role parameters and maintaining personal-professional boundaries in the interests of keyworkers and program participants. We contribute to the body of research on employability practitioner perspectives, revealing that the strengths of person-centred support may simultaneously present tensions and wellbeing risks, where role parameters are very broadly defined." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Petautschnig, Carla & Virpi Timonen (2024): “I'm Not Worthless, I Do Help Society”: Exploring the Lived Experience of Community Placement in Activation Schemes. In: Social Policy and Society, S. 1-15. DOI:10.1017/S1474746423000490

Abstract

"Activation schemes are widely criticised, with the negative experiences of ‘the activated’ featuring prominently in the literature. This article presents the findings of a constructivist grounded theory study concerning the lived experience of long-term unemployment, welfare recipiency and community placement in activation schemes in Ireland, with a focus on the positive effects that participating in such schemes had on participants’ subjective well-being. For the participants in this research, community placement signified change, respite, and recovery that improved their subjective well-being by creating an experience that counteracted the draining experience of long-term unemployment and welfare recipiency. This study brings new elements to the discussion on the role of activation in promoting/diminishing the subjective well-being of the long-term unemployed." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Dromundo, Sofia, Marius Lüske & Michele Tuccio (2023): Innovative approaches to tackle long-term unemployment. (OECD social, employment and migration working papers 300), Paris, 39 S. DOI:10.1787/e1f7e16e-en

Abstract

"Long-term unemployment remains a structural challenge for most OECD countries. Despite major efforts to address this issue, the efficiency and effectiveness of many existing active labor market policies are limited for jobseekers who face major vulnerabilities and have no ties to the labor market. Therefore, there is a need for innovative approaches that specifically address the barriers faced by long-term unemployed individuals in their labor market (re)integration. This paper discusses examples of promising practices from across Europe, which can serve as a source of inspiration for policymakers seeking new approaches to assist vulnerable jobseekers in overcoming the challenge of long-term unemployment" (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Gallagher, Patrick & Ray Griffin (2023): (in) Accuracy in Algorithmic Profiling of the Unemployed – An Exploratory Review of Reporting Standards. In: Social Policy and Society, S. 1-14. DOI:10.1017/S1474746423000428

Abstract

"Public Employment Services (PES) increasingly use automated statistical profiling algorithms (ASPAs) to ration expensive active labour market policy (ALMP) interventions to those they predict at risk of becoming long-term unemployed (LTU). Strikingly, despite the critical role played by ASPAs in the operation of public policy, we know very little about how the technology works, particularly how accurate predictions from ASPAs are. As a vital first step in assessing the operational effectiveness and social impact of ASPAs, we review the method of reporting accuracy. We demonstrate that the current method of reporting a single measure for accuracy (usually a percentage) inflates the capabilities of the technology in a peculiar way. ASPAs tend towards high false positive rates, and so falsely identify those who prove to be frictionally unemployed as likely to be LTU. This has important implications for the effectiveness of spending on ALMPs." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Quinz, Hannah & Jörg Flecker (2023): "Marienthal.reversed": Wie wirkt eine Arbeitsplatzgarantie für langzeitarbeitslose Menschen im österreichischen Kontext? In: Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, Jg. 49, H. 3, S. 79-104. DOI:10.59288/wug493.208

Abstract

"Derzeit wird das Konzept „Arbeitsplatzgarantie“ international als Instrument im Kampf gegen Langzeitarbeitslosigkeit diskutiert. Eine staatlich geförderte Jobgarantie stellt jenen Menschen einen Arbeitsplatz zur Verfügung, die von Beschäftigung ausgeschlossen bleiben. Das Arbeitsmarktservice Niederösterreich setzt dieses Konzept im „Modellprojekt Arbeitsplatzgarantie Marienthal“ um. Dieser Beitrag stellt Wirkungen im Hinblick auf latente Erfahrungskategorien von Erwerbsarbeit (Zeitstruktur, soziale Kontakte, soziale Wertschätzung, Tätigkeit, Mitwirken an kollektiven Zielen, Selbstwirksamkeit) dar. Dazu haben wir Teilnehmer:innen des Modellprojekts im Zeitraum von zwei Jahren mehrmals quantitativ und qualitativ befragt. Die Analysen zeigen heterogene Teilnehmer:innen, aber wir stellen insgesamt positive Veränderungen für Zeitstruktur, Aktivitäten und so-ziale Kontakte fest. Durch den Zugang zu Erwerbsarbeit nimmt das Gefühl sozialer Wertschätzung sowie zu kollektiven Zielen beizutragen zu. Beides kann durch nicht erkennbare Nützlichkeit der Tätigkeiten getrübt werden. Insbesondere die Selbstwirksamkeit nimmt im Zeitverlauf zu. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich das Konzept der Arbeitsplatzgarantie in Österreich mit positiven Wirkungen für die Teilnehmer:innen umsetzen lässt." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Requena, Miguel (2023): Class and Unemployment. (JRC working papers on social classes in the digital age / Joint Research Centre (Seville site) 2023-11), Sevilla, 33 S.

Abstract

"The purpose of this paper is to theoretically clarify and empirically analyze the link between social class and unemployment. After reviewing and justifying the criteria used to determine the class position of the unemployed, empirical evidence of the associations between class and unemployment rates in ten selected European countries is provided. Data come from the European Union Labor Force Surveys and European Socio-economic Classifications was used. Results of the analysis show that the likelihood of being unemployed depends on class position. The experience of unemployment is distributed across classes according to a clear gradient in which the more advantaged classes have lower unemployment rates than the working classes. This implies that the class profile of the employed and the unemployed is different and that the employed and the unemployed contribute differentially to class composition, with the unemployed contributing more than the employed to the composition of the working classes. The results are robust to different specifications of the observed populations. The class gradient in unemployment rates is visible among women and men and is also present in all ten countries considered." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Anghel, Liliana-Luminita (2022): European Network of Public Employment Services: 2022 PES Capacity Questionnaire Part II: Labour market training for the long-term unemployed. Survey-based Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 50 S. DOI:10.2767/07742

Abstract

"As part of its 2022 work program, the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES) continues the monitoring of the implementation of the Council Recommendation on the integration of the long term unemployed into the labor market. The report complements the quantitative and qualitative monitoring done by EMCO, and provides input to the EMCO multilateral surveillance. It mainly focuses on PES delivery of labor market training to LTUs to improve their ability to access jobs in the changing labor market. The findings are based on responses to a survey provided by 32 PES in 26 EU member States plus Iceland and Norway. The report shows that PES put a lot of efforts into organizing and delivering the labor market training to LTUs to improve their access to jobs, even in a challenging period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also includes some issues for further consideration when planning and adjusting future training programs for LTUs (for instance related to lack of internet access and IT equipment, low digital skills, poor support networks)." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"This mini toolkit presents information on concepts, tools, and practices which can support stakeholders in using European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) resources to assist in the integration of people furthest from the labour market, including long-term unemployed and inactive people, including older jobseekers. It will also demonstrate the advantages of effective partnership working including from the encouragement of consortia to develop bids." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Miyamoto, Hiroaki & Nujin Suphaphiphat (2021): Mitigating Long-term Unemployment in Europe. In: IZA Journal of Labor Policy, Jg. 11. DOI:10.2478/izajolp-2021-0003

Abstract

"While unemployment rates in Europe declined after the global financial crisis until 2018/2019, the incidence of long-term unemployment, the share of people who have been unemployed for >1 year to the total unemployed, remained high. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic could aggravate the long-term unemployment. This paper explores the factors associated with longterm unemployment in European countries using a panel of 25 European countries over the period 2000–2018. We find that skill mismatches, labor market matching efficiency, and labor market policies are associated with the incidence of long-term unemployment. Among the different types of active labor market policies, training and startup incentives are found to be effective in reducing long-term unemployment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Anghel, Liliana-Luminita (2020): European Network of Public Employment Services: Integrated services for long-term unemployed 2020. Survey-based Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 54 S. DOI:10.2767/418886

Abstract

"The EU Council adopted in February 2016 the Recommendation on the integration of the long-term unemployed into the labor market (hereinafter ‘the Recommendation’). The aim of the Recommendation was to support sustainable reintegration of the LTU back into the labor market by calling on MS to: 1. encourage registration of the long-term unemployed with an employment service; 2. increase individualised support for the long-term unemployed based on in-depth assessments of their needs, and ensure that a job integration agreement (JIA) is set up within 18 months of the person becoming unemployed; 3. develop closer links with employers and partnerships between employers, social partners, employment and social services, government authorities and education and training providers to increase job opportunities for registered LTU; 4. improve the continuity of support by coordinating services available to the long-term unemployed through a single point of contact (SPOC). According to the Recommendation, a SPOC refers to an authority responsible ‘for supporting registered LTU persons through a coordinated service offer involving available employment and social support services. It can be based on a framework of inter-institutional coordination and/or be identified within existing structures’. The Recommendation also requested that the European Network of Public Employment Services (ENPES, the network of national PES) contribute to the monitoring of its implementation. In response, in 2016 the PES Network designed and adopted a set of minimum, intermediate and advanced quality standards4for implementing a SPOC and a JIA. A Survey Report (the Ad Hoc Module to the 2018 PES Capacity Questionnaire5) was produced by the PES Network in 2018. This Survey Report summarised PES developments in integration of the long-term unemployed back into the labor market, offering an overview of the effects of the Recommendation as reported by the PES, and outlining common challenges faced by the PES." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Jakubiak, Igor (2020): Are Migrants Overrepresented Among Individual Welfare Beneficiaries? In: International Migration, Jg. 58, H. 5, S. 103-127. DOI:10.1111/imig.12692

Abstract

"The level of immigrant welfare dependency is the subject of heated debate in the majority of developed countries, which have experienced a significant increase in immigration in recent years. In both Europe and the US, the problem of potential excessive use of social transfers is beginning to bring real policy consequences. This article addresses this issue by presenting a quantitative assessment of welfare receipt in 17 European countries, as well as Yun decomposition of its differences between natives and immigrants. It adds to existing literature by comparing the levels of welfare dependence among EU and non-EU migrants for individual benefits including and excluding pensions, using recent data from EU-SILC. Results suggest that immigrants rely on welfare less often than natives, and receive lower benefits when they do. Those conclusions are reversed, however, when old-age benefits are not considered ? especially in the case of non-EU migrants." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Mašidlauskaitė, Rūta (2020): European Network of Public Employment Services: Ad hoc module to the 2018 PES capacity questionnaire. Survey-based Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 45 S. DOI:10.2767/738258

Abstract

"Public Employment Services play a key role in the sustainable activation of disadvantaged groups, including the long-term unemployed. The Recommendation on the integration of the LTU into the labour market explicitly asked the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES Network) to contribute to the monitoring of its implementation. In response, in 2016, the PES Network designed and adopted a set of minimum, intermediate and advanced quality standards for implementing a SPOC and a JIA. These standards were used by the Employment Committee (EMCO) review on long-term unemployment in December 2016 and it is very likely that the LTU will continue to feature in the upcoming EMCO review in October 2018. Furthermore, as a part of the Benchlearning project, the PES Network amended a qualitative performance enabler to integrate data on the LTU into its qualitative assessments in 2018. This report summarises the recent developments in PES concerning the integration of the long-term unemployed back into the labour market, and it provides an overview of the effects of the Recommendation reported by PES. The report also provides information on common challenges faced by PES when implementing the Recommendation." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Suphaphiphat, Nujin & Hiroaki Miyamoto (2020): Mitigating Long-term Unemployment in Europe. (IMF working paper 2020,168), Washington, DC, 32 S.

Abstract

"While unemployment rates in Europe declined after the global financial crisis until 2018/19, the incidence of long-term unemployment, the share of people who have been unemployed for more than one year to the total unemployed, remained high. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic could aggravate the long-term unemployment. This paper explores factors associated with long-term unemployment in European countries, using panel of 25 European countries over the period 2000–18. We find that skill mismatches, labor market matching efficiency, and labor market policies are associated with the incidence of long-term unemployment. Among different types of active labor market policies, training and start-up incentives are found to be effective in reducing long-term unemployment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Voßemer, Jonas (2019): The economic and non-economic consequences of job loss, unemployment, and inadequate re-employment in Germany and Europe. Bamberg, 328 S. DOI:10.20378/irbo-54547

Abstract

"Job loss and unemployment are major social problems in modern market economies. Understanding their consequences is of key concern to the social sciences. Against this background, this cumulative thesis examines the economic and non-economic consequences of job loss, unemployment, and inadequate re-employment in Germany and Europe. In addition to five articles, it contains an overview article which motivates the research questions, reviews the state of research and highlights the contributions of this thesis, develops a general theoretical model, presents the research designs, and summarizes the main findings before drawing conclusions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Benda, Luc, Ferry Koster & Romke van der Veen (2018): Contextualising institutional complementarity. How long-term unemployment depends on employment protection legislation, active labour market policies and the economic climate. In: International journal of social welfare, Jg. 27, H. 3, S. 258-269. DOI:10.1111/ijsw.12307

Abstract

"This study investigated if and how active labour market policies (ALMPs) and employment protection interact with each other in light of long-term unemployment reduction. We argue that how well the interaction between both labour market institutions reduces long-term unemployment depends on the level of economic growth. To improve analytical clarity, two types of ALMPs were differentiated, namely training and employment programmes. Using data on 20 European countries over 16 years, our results suggest that employment protection moderates the relationship between employment programmes and long-term unemployment. The combination of high spending on employment programmes and less strict employment protection is associated with less long-term unemployment. This moderation effect is stronger during an economic downturn. A moderation effect from employment protection on the relationship between training programmes and long-term unemployment was not found, even when the economic climate was taken into account as a contextual factor." (Author's abstract, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))