The goal of this ... Read morevolume is to study this 'public sector shock'. While budgetary reforms seek to ensure a more balanced and sound economic policy, they may generate new work inequalities among public sector employees, most particularly among women, who account for a considerable proportion of public sector employment. Cuts in education and training may also have an impact on the quality of human capital in both the public and private sectors, despite the fact that the recent crisis has shown the value of education as employees with better skills and training are more likely to maintain their jobs and incomes.

The authors explore a number of questions, including: what types of reform have been implemented in the public sector and what are their implications in both the short and long term? On the economic side, what will be the impact on wages, and on job quantity and quality? On the social side, what will the effects be on inequality and social cohesion? And what will be the outcome for, and potential role of, social partners and social dialogue?

On the basis of a comparative and comprehensive assessment, illustrated by case studies in education, health and public administration, policy issues are discussed with the aim of finding the right mix of public sector reforms.

Contributors: S. Altwicker-Hámori, J.-I. Antón, D. Anxo, G. Bosch, K. Espenberg, V. Franicevic, J. Gautié, D. Grimshaw, J. Köll , J. Masso, T. Matkovic, Y. Monogios, R. Muñoz de Bustillo, P. O Connell, H. Rato, J. Rubery, W. Salverda, Z. Tzannatos, V. Vasile, D. Vaughan-Whitehead