DIVERSITY OF EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - IMPORTANT FACTORS FOR EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIPS

Over the past decade, European labour market has met a series of serious challenges: restructuring of businesses involving massive dismissals followed by increase of the unemployment rate and significant decrease of the of vacant job positions. While the compensation packages and other means of protection of the employees dismissed were always modalities of attenuating the immediate effects of losing the jobs, it was necessary to find other measures that do not only involve costs for the employers and state budgets, but are also useful for the respective individuals to create value for themselves and also for the business and contribute to restarting the economic development. This study aims to assess to which extent the diversity of education and professional development were and continue to be valuable measures considered in order to avoid dismissals and increase the chances for both individuals and businesses' future development. From a methodological perspective, it was useful to identify, analyze and compare the policies promoted at European level, the Romanian legislative measures and practice of the labour relations. The author's personal contribution resides in the screening and analysis of various situations met in practice when assisting various companies on the occasion of implementing restructuring procedures. This analysis has revealed various measures taken by employers that underline the role and importance of the diversity of education and professional development and built the conclusion that such measures offer increased protection to employees by avoiding dismissals, finding easier a new job or identifying other opportunities in their professional life. (C) 2017 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy.org.UK