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Crespo, Laura & Pedro Mira (2014): Caregiving to elderly parents and employment status of European mature women. In: The Review of Economics and Statistics, Jg. 96, H. 4, S. 693-709. DOI:10.1162/REST_a_00426

Abstract

"We study the prevalence of informal caregiving to elderly parents by their mature daughters in Europe and the links between parental health, intense (daily) caregiving, and the employment status of daughters. We group data from SHARE into three country pools (North, Central, and South), which differ in the availability of public formal care services and female labor market attachment. There is a strong North-South gradient in the (positive) effect of parental ill health on the probability of daily caregiving. The loss of employment ascribable to daily informal caregiving seems negligible, except in southern countries. We use a time allocation model to provide a link to an empirical IV-treatment effects framework and to interpret our findings." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Lott, Yvonne (2014): Flexibilität und Autonomie in der Arbeitszeit: Gut für die Work-Life Balance? Analysen zum Zusammenhang von Arbeitszeitarrangements und Work-Life Balance in Europa. (WSI-Report 18), Düsseldorf, 16 S.

Abstract

"Flexibilität und Autonomie in der Arbeitszeit haben das Potenzial, Beschäftigte in ihrer Work-Life Balance zu unterstützten. Aber tun sie das auch tatsächlich? Forschungsergebnisse zeigen: Flexibilität und Autonomie in der Arbeitszeit sind generell mit einer guten Work-Life Balance verbunden. Jedoch gilt dies für Männer in der Regel weniger als für Frauen. Zudem spielen Arbeitsmarkt- und Familienpolitik, Sozialpartnerschaft und die betriebliche Arbeitsorganisation für den Zusammenhang zwischen Arbeitszeitautonomie und Work-Life Balance eine entscheidende Rolle. Gewerkschaften und Mitbestimmung haben damit die Möglichkeit und auch die Aufgabe die Flexibilisierung der Arbeitszeit im Interesse der Beschäftigten zu gestalten. So muss für eine Arbeitsorganisation gesorgt werden, die die Vorteile von Arbeitszeitautonomie zur Geltung bringt. Gewerkschaften und Betriebsräte sollten letztlich eine Betriebskultur fördern, in der Männer ermuntert werden, Arbeitszeitautonomie für ihre Aktivitäten außerhalb der Arbeit tatsächlich auch zu nutzen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Salladarré, Frédéric & Stephane Hlaimi (2014): Women and part-time work in Europe. In: International Labour Review, Jg. 153, H. 2, S. 293-310. DOI:10.1111/j.1564-913X.2014.00205.x

Abstract

"This article examines female part-time employment in 23 European countries, distinguishing between 'short' and 'long' part-time employment. The short form, defined as less than 20 hours per week, is associated with the youngest and oldest age groups, slight disability, a higher number of children, lower skill levels, and employment in community, social and personal services. Although the incidence of part-time employment varies considerably across countries, long part-time employment is generally more widespread than short part-time employment, albeit with matching cross-country variations in the incidence of the two types. This suggests that they are complementary, rather than substitutes for one another." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Verbakel, Ellen (2014): Informal caregiving and well-being in Europe. What can ease the negative consequences for caregivers? In: Journal of European social policy, Jg. 24, H. 5, S. 424-441. DOI:10.1177/0958928714543902

Abstract

"Against the background of an ageing society with an increasing demand for informal caregivers, this study examines (1) to what extent informal caregiving is negatively related to well-being, (2) to what extent the relationship between informal caregiving and well-being varies over countries and (3) to what extent national policies and countries' normative climates reduce the well-being gap between caregivers and noncaregivers. Analyses on the European Quality of Life Survey 2007 (N = 20,396 in 18 countries), applying multilevel regression techniques, confirmed previous findings that caregivers have lower levels of well-being than non-caregivers. This relationship varied between countries. Generous availability of formal long-term resources reduces the well-being gap between caregivers and non-caregivers. Surprisingly, services that are designed to support informal caregivers do not alleviate the negative well-being consequences. A strong country-level family norm does not affect the well-being gap between caregivers and non-caregivers, but reduces the negative well-being consequences of intensive caregiving." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Wielers, Rudi, Maria Münderlein & Ferry Koster (2014): Part-time work and work hour preferences. An international comparison. In: European Sociological Review, Jg. 30, H. 1, S. 76-89. DOI:10.1093/esr/jct023

Abstract

"The goal of this article is to explain cross-country differences in over- and under-employment. The focus is on the effects of the growth of part-time work. We argue and demonstrate that the spread and acceptance of part-time work results in a downward adaptation of descriptive norms regulating work hours. Initially, women use part-time work to solve the Work-Family-Conflict. The increase of parttime work among women with children increases its acceptance among women and men, as part-time work offers the opportunity to combine paid work with education, care, or the anticipation of retirement. Following this argument, we deduce hypotheses about the work hour preferences of full-time and part-time working women and men and test these hypotheses on the second wave of the European Social Survey (ESS, 2004). The results show that a larger share of part-time work in a country is associated with stronger preferences among full-time workers to reduce work hours. The preference to reduce work hours spreads among full-time working mothers, and from mothers to other full-time working women and men. Preferences to increase working hours among part-time workers are more driven by the level of prosperity of the country." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Broughton, Andrea (2013): EU employers take family-friendly working seriously. Dublin, 12 S.

Abstract

"A survey investigating family-friendly working policies in companies in six European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden, UK) finds that employers take family-friendly working seriously and have put in place a range of policies to support this, especially in areas such as flexible working and parental support. The main driver for this in most countries was compliance with legislation or collective agreements. The economic crisis has had little impact on the provision of family-friendly working policies." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hipp, Lena & Stefan Stuth (2013): Management und Teilzeitarbeit. Wunsch und Wirklichkeit. (WZBrief Arbeit 15), Berlin, 6 S.

Abstract

"Manager und Managerinnen arbeiten in Europa selten Teilzeit. Auch auf Führungsebene ist Teilzeit 'Frauendomäne'. Teilzeitarbeit im Management wird stark von der Arbeitszeit- und Geschlechterkultur in den Ländern beeinflusst." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Pereira, Maria C. & Filipe Coelho (2013): Work hours and well being. An investigation of moderator effects. In: Social indicators research, Jg. 111, H. 1, S. 235-253. DOI:10.1007/s11205-012-0002-3

Abstract

"The relationship between work hours and subjective well being is marked by contradictory findings, thereby implying that it is far from being completely understood. A study of moderator effects can help explain variations in results across studies and, thus, overcome inconsistencies in past research. Accordingly, the current study aims to enlighten the relationship between work hours and well being by investigating how a number of variables moderate this relationship. To develop the research hypotheses concerning the moderator effects, this study relies mostly on social identity theory. Overall, the results suggest that work hours, per se, do not have a significant relationship with individual well being. Rather, their effects seem to depend on a number of issues, namely concerned with individuals' objective characteristics, as well as their social identities." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Beham, Barbara, Patrick Präg & Sonja Drobnic (2012): Who's got the balance? A study of satisfaction with the work-family balance among part-time service sector employees in five western European countries. In: The international journal of human resource management, Jg. 23, H. 18, S. 3725-3741. DOI:10.1080/09585192.2012.654808

Abstract

"Working part-time is frequently considered a viable strategy for employees to better combine work and non-work responsibilities. The present study examines differences in satisfaction with work-family balance (SWFB) among professional and non-professional part-time service sector employees in five western European countries. Part-time employees were found to be more SWFB than full-time employees even after taking varying demands and resources into account. However, there are important differences among the part-timers. Employees in marginal part-time employment with considerably reduced working hours were the most satisfied. Professionals were found to profit less from reduced working hours and experienced lower levels of SWFB than non-professionals. No significant differences in SWFB were found between male and female part-time workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Budig, Michelle J., Joya Misra & Irene Boeckmann (2012): The motherhood penalty in cross-national perspective. The importance of work-family policies and cultural attitudes. In: Social Politics, Jg. 19, H. 2, S. 163-193. DOI:10.1093/sp/jxs006

Abstract

"Mothers' employment and earnings partly depend on social policies and cultural norms supporting women's paid and unpaid work. Previous research suggests that work-family policies are deeply shaped by their cultural context. We examine country variation in the associations between motherhood and earnings, in cultural attitudes surrounding women's employment, and in childcare and parental leave policies. We model how cultural attitudes moderate the impact of policies on women's earnings across countries. Parental leaves and public childcare are associated with higher earnings for mothers when cultural support for maternal employment is high, but have less positive or even negative relationships with earnings where cultural attitudes support the male breadwinner/female caregiver model." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Goudswaard, Anneke, Steven Dhondt, Robert Vergeer, Peter Oeij, Jan de Leede, Koos van Adrichem, Péter Csizmadia, Csaba Makó, Miklos Illesy & Akos Toth (2012): Organisation of working time. Implications for productivity and working conditions. Overview report. Dublin, 68 S.

Abstract

"The report examines working time flexible arrangements implemented in five companies of the retail and automotive sector in Hungary and Belgium and the Netherlands using the case study methodology. The main aim of this research was to explore and show whether and under what conditions working time flexible arrangements in companies are implemented and can increase productivity and at the same time preserve or improve quality of work in general and especially with regard to work - life balance." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Lyness, Karen S., Janet C. Gornick, Pamela Stone & Angela R. Grotto (2012): It's all about control: worker control over schedule and hours in cross-national context. In: American Sociological Review, Jg. 77, H. 6, S. 1023-1049. DOI:10.1177/0003122412465331

Abstract

"Workers' ability to control their work schedules and hours varies significantly among industrialized countries. We integrate and extend prior research from a variety of literatures to examine antecedents of control and worker outcomes. Using hierarchical linear modeling and data for 21 countries from the 1997 ISSP Work Orientations Survey supplemented with national indicators developed from a variety of sources, we find that control is associated with country characteristics (affluence, welfare state generosity, union coverage, and working-time regulations), worker attributes (being male, being older, and being better educated), and job characteristics (working part-time, being self-employed, having higher earnings, and having more advancement opportunities). We also examine the relationship of control to job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and strain-based work-family conflict. Generally, low levels of control are linked to negative outcomes for workers, especially for women, an effect sometimes modulated by country-level policy measures." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Brenke, Karl (2011): Anhaltender Strukturwandel zur Teilzeitbeschäftigung. In: DIW-Wochenbericht, Jg. 78, H. 42, S. 3-12.

Abstract

"Die Bedeutung der Teilzeitbeschäftigung ist stark gewachsen - in Deutschland wie generell in Europa. In Deutschland hat sie in überdurchschnittlichem Maße zugelegt und ist derzeit stärker verbreitet als im EU-Durchschnitt. Offenbar handelt es sich um einen grundlegenden Strukturwandel, denn die Teilzeitarbeit hat unbeeinflusst von konjunkturellen Entwicklungen zugenommen. Wenngleich nach wie vor insbesondere einfache Tätigkeiten in Teilzeit ausgeübt werden, haben immer mehr Erwerbstätige mit einer mittleren oder hohen Qualifikation verkürzte Arbeitszeiten. Teilzeitarbeit hat sich auf immer mehr Berufsfelder und Tätigkeiten ausgebreitet. Für einen Strukturwandel spricht auch, dass sie besonders kräftig unter den Männern zugelegt hat. Dennoch sind verkürzte Arbeitszeiten nach wie vor eindeutig die Domäne von Frauen - und zwar europaweit. Obwohl sich die Teilzeitquoten von Männern und Frauen in Deutschland einander angenähert haben, ist der Unterschied immer noch deutlich größer als in den meisten anderen europäischen Staaten. Große Unterschiede zwischen den Geschlechtern zeigen sich in Deutschland wie generell in der EU hinsichtlich der Gründe für eine Teilzeitbeschäftigung: Bei Frauen sind es vor allem familiäre Motive, bei Männern dagegen eher die berufliche Qualifizierung und insbesondere der Mangel an Vollzeitstellen. Bei nicht wenigen Frauen ist ebenfalls ein unzureichendes Arbeitsplatzangebot ein Grund, sich mit einer Teilzeitstelle zu bescheiden. Trotz der in den letzten Jahren verbesserten Arbeitsmarktlage in Deutschland hat sich die Zahl derjenigen Erwerbstätigen, für die ein Teilzeitjob nur eine Notlösung darstellt, bei reichlich zwei Millionen eingependelt." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Hobson, Barbara, Susanne Fahlén & Judit Takács (2011): Agency and capabilities to achieve a work-life balance. A comparison of Sweden and Hungary. In: Social Politics, Jg. 18, H. 2, S. 168-198. DOI:10.1093/sp/jxr012

Abstract

"This study develops a conceptual framework with a capabilities and agency approach for analyzing work-life balance (WLB) applied in two societies (Hungary and Sweden), which have different working time regimes, levels of precarious employment, and gender equality discourses and norms. Inspired by Amartya Sen, we present a model illustrating how agency freedom for WLB depends on multiple resources at the individual, work organizational, institutional, and normative/societal levels. Using a unique qualitative survey conducted in two cities, Budapest and Stockholm, we analyze how mothers and fathers subjectively experience the tensions between family and work demands, and their possibilities for alternative choices (agency freedom). We find similarities in these tensions involving time pressure and time poverty, cutting across gender and education. Our Hungarian parents, nevertheless, experience greater agency inequalities for WLB, which reflect weaker institutional resources (conversion factors) as well as cultural/societal norms that act as constraints for WLB claims in the workplace and household. Our study reveals that Swedish parents, both men and women, express a strong sense of entitlement to exercise rights to care." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Rohwer, Anja (2011): Die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf im europäischen Vergleich. In: Ifo-Schnelldienst, Jg. 64, H. 10, S. 28-32.

Abstract

"Familien sehen sich immer häufiger verschiedensten Herausforderungen gegenübergestellt, wenn sie versuchen, Familie und Beruf miteinander zu vereinbaren. In diesem Beitrag werden die Ergebnisse einiger Studien vorgestellt, die europäische Unternehmen im Hinblick auf familienfreundliche Personalpolitik befragten. Demnach weisen die meisten europäischen Unternehmen dem Thema 'Familienfreundlichkeit' einen hohen Stellenwert zu." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Sandor, Eszter (2011): Part-time work in Europe. European Company Survey 2009. Dublin, 59 S. DOI:10.2806/116

Abstract

"Non-standard employment and, more particularly, part-time work has been increasing worldwide for the past two decades. This trend has been especially strong in Europe, where the issue of different working time arrangements is an important part of the discussion among policymakers and social partners, and something which the European Union (EU) has promoted to increase flexibility for workers and employers. However, part-time work is spread very unevenly across Member States, reflecting differences in legislation, infrastructure and cultural conventions. This report uses data from the fourth European Working Conditions Survey and the second Company Survey." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"In 2010, average collectively agreed weekly working time in the European Union stood at 38 hours. The figure was 0.4 hours lower in the pre-2004 EU15 and 1.7 hours higher in the new Member States. Agreed normal annual working time averages around 1,708 hours - around 1,693 hours in the EU15 and 1,797 in the new Member States. Of three sectors examined, agreed weekly hours are longest in metalworking and local government (37.8 hours), and shortest in banking (37.3 hours). Average collectively agreed paid annual leave entitlement stood at 25.4 days across the EU in 2010, being higher among countries in the EU15 (where it was 25.6 days) than in the 12 new Member States (24.1 days)." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Coffman, Julie & Russ Hagey (2010): Flexible work models. How to bring sustainability to a 24/7 world. Boston, MA, 8 S.

Abstract

Im Rahmen der Untersuchung zum Einsatz flexibler Arbeitszeitmodelle wurden mehr als 3.300 Fach- und Führungskräfte in den USA, Europa und Asien befragt. Es zeigt sich, dass auf den Einzelnen zugeschnittene Arbeitszeitmodelle die Arbeitszufriedenheit und die Bindung an das Unternehmen erhöhen. Wichtig ist, dass dieses Modelle durch die Unternehmensführung unterstützt werden. Außerdem sollten diese von Führungskräften genutzt und so deren Machbarkeit demonstriert werden. Die vorgestellten Maßnahmen dienen auch zu einer Erhöhung des Frauenanteils in Führungspositionen, da diese besonderen Wert auf flexible Arbeitszeitmodelle legen. (IAB)

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Kerkhofs, Marcel, Amelia Román & Peter Ester (2010): Flexibility profiles of European companies. European Company Survey 2009. Dublin, 45 S.

Abstract

"This report analyses European corporate practices in terms of working time flexibility as revealed by the European Company Survey 2009 (ECS 2009). Flexibility in working time is a central aspect of ongoing debates regarding boosting employment in the EU. Enabling employees to better balance their working time and domestic responsibilities is seen as a key way of encouraging more citizens to enter and remain in the workforce. At the same time, greater working time flexibility on the part of companies - and hence, employees - can enable European enterprises to be more responsive to market demands, so boosting the Union's competitiveness." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Plantenga, Janneke & Chantal Remery (2010): Flexible working time arrangements and gender equality. A comparative review of 30 European countries. Brüssel, 128 S. DOI:10.2767/29844

Abstract

"Increased flexibility of working time arrangements and promotion of gender equality are two important elements in the EU's employment policy. In many instances, increased flexibility has a positive effect on gender equality, although this is not always the case. This review from the EU Expert Group on Gender and Employment sets out the relationship between working time flexibility and gender equality and compares the state of play in 30 European countries (EU-27 and EEA/EFTA). It gives an overview of working time flexibility throughout Europe as well as in-depth analysis of flexibility in terms of length and organisation of working time. Information is also provided on the regulatory framework and recent policy developments in the field. In addition, the review comprises a detailed statistical annex." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))