NHS Employers involvement with CEEP

NHS Employers is a member of CEEP (European Public Sector Employers). CEEP is a European cross sector Social Partner which is engaged in Social Dialogue with UNICE (Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe) and ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation).

European Social Dialogue brings together employers and employee representatives so they can exchange information, influence European employment policy and legislation and negotiate on issues of common importance. With the existence of formalised Social Dialogue, the European Commission has a legal duty, under the European Treaty, to consult on any draft proposals concerning the Social Partners.

CEEP, UNICE and ETUC have negotiated several framework agreements. These have included framework agreements on Stress and Gender Equality. The framework agreement on Stress was built on by the UK Social Partners, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Health and Safety Executive to launch new guidance in July 2005 focussing on stress at work. The guidance aims to raise awareness of the issue of work-related stress, which costs British business, including the NHS, billions each year. It defines stress at work, outlines the exiting UK and European legislation in this area and acts as a compilation of practical resources to prevent and manage stress in the workplace. NHS Employers collated and contributed examples of best practice from the NHS on dealing with stress.

The European Social Partners have also adopted a Framework of Actions on Gender Equality and CEEP will use this text as a showcase for how European agreements can address issues of key concern to UK members. NHS Employers will respond to this framework, indicating what is being done in the NHS to address the priorities identified for action. CEEP is currently negotiating with UNICE and ETUC, a voluntary framework agreement on harassment and violence in the workplace.

CEEP has national sections across Europe. NHS Employers currently holds the presidency of CEEP UK, whose membership includes the NHS, the Civil Service, Local Government for the UK and Transport for London. NHS Employers leads the British delegation in Brussels which helps ensure the voice of the NHS is heard in Europe.