From the Welfare State to Occupational Welfare: the challenge of "MyWelfare"

Abstract

After introducing the concept of Welfare State through a historical route and analysing new risks and needs affecting the citizens nowadays, it follows an explanation of the spread of a new paradigm known as “Second Welfare”, which main players are companies that offer Occupational Welfare plans. Then, the concept of Occupational Welfare is examined: its definitions, the main players, the strengths and weaknesses of such policies and, finally the evolution towards inter-company welfare. Lastly, it is proposed an entrepreneurial idea with the aim of overcoming the difficulties of SMEs to offer these kinds of plans and of involving the Third Sector as a provider of occupational welfare services.