Social policies research

Karel Fric

Research officer

Karel Fric is a research officer in the Social Policies unit at Eurofound. His work involves survey research, data analysis and project management, with a particular focus on working and living conditions, equality and discrimination. He previously worked as a researcher at the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights in Vienna, Austria, and at Panteia, a research and consulting organisation based in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. Karel holds a PhD in Social Sciences from Erasmus University Rotterdam and a Master’s degree in Economics from Utrecht University.

Topics of expertise

Karel is an expert in the following topics.

Multiracial friendship and equality, African american and asian woman holding european union flag.

Discrimination at work

Gender equality

Language training for refugees in a German camp

Migration and mobility

Research outputs

Karel is the author of the following publications.

Include forthcoming

Events, podcast and blog

Karel has contributed the following events, blog posts and podcast episodes.

10 July 2026

Podcast episode

Employment and working conditions of the most vulnerable workers

Over the past two decades, European labour markets have undergone significant transformation, with a marked rise in non-standard forms of employment such as part-time and temporary work. In this episode of Eurofound Talks, Mary McCaughey speaks with Eurofound expert Karel Fric to explore the employment and working conditions of the most vulnerable workers.

Warehouse workers in safety vests inspecting shelves filled with packaged goods; one holds a tablet, pointing upwards.

30 May 2025

Blog post

Europe must adapt to its ageing workforce

As the continent's birth rates decline and its population ages, policymakers face the urgent task of retaining experienced workers and adapting workplaces to meet the needs of an older demographic.

10 April 2025

Podcast episode

How can Europe adapt to an ageing workforce?

How can Europe adapt to an ageing workforce? What impediments do older workers face at the workplace? How are changing technologies and job quality influencing the retention of older workers on the labour market?This episode sets out to answer these questions in the context of changing demographics in Europe and the need to make work more sustainable.

Older male worker threading a steel bar in an industrial factory

1 May 2018

Blog post

What about men?

In this blog piece, originally published in Social Europe, Karel Fric and Camilla Galli da Bino look at the issue of discrimination against men in the workplace in Europe, and the current lack of research in this area.

27 February 2017

Blog post

Growth of minimum wages accelerates across Europe

The growth in average (nominal) pay of employees has accelerated in recent years in EU countries after a slump following the economic crisis. Similar developments show up in data on collectively agreed wages. However, higher wage growth figures do not automatically mean that all employees benefit equally.

16 May 2016

Blog post

Europe must take action to protect LGBT people in the workplace

This article, originally posted in Social Europe, is based on a comprehensive overview of surveys on the working life experiences of LGBT people in the EU. 17 May is International day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people face distinct disadvantages in the labour market ranging from discrimination in recruitment, wages or promotions to harassment and bullying in the workplace.

Other unit members: Social policies research

Find more staff members of this unit below.

Daphne Ahrendt

Senior research manager

Marianna Baggio

Research officer

Javier Bernier

Administrative assistant

Michele Consolini

Research officer

Hans Dubois

Senior research manager

Ana Guevara

Research trainee

Marie Hyland

Research officer

Hannah Kollen

Research trainee

Kalliopi Koultouki

Administrative assistant

Massimiliano Mascherini

Head of Unit

Daniel Molinuevo

Senior research manager

Alberto Naretto

Temporary research support officer - Data sharing platform

Sanna Nivakoski

Research officer

Ilaria Pantaleo

Claudia Peroni

Temporary research support officer

Eleonora Peruffo

Research officer

Alessia Pierno

Research trainee

Ilaria Pompilio

Research trainee

Noa Prins

Research trainee

Jeremy Ryan

Temporary administrative assistant

Eszter Sándor

Senior research manager

Donna Straver

Research trainee