Zitatform

MacDaniel, Cara (2011): Forces shaping hours worked in the OECD, 1960-2004. In: American Economic Journal. Macroeconomics, Jg. 3, H. 4, S. 27-52. DOI:10.1257/mac.3.4.27

Abstract

"The goal of this paper is to examine the role of taxes and productivity growth as forces influencing market hours. To achieve this goal, the paper considers a calibrated growth model extended to include home production and subsistence consumption, both of which are found to be key features influencing market hours. The model is simulated for 15 OECD countries. The primary force driving changes in market hours is found to be changing labor income tax rates. Productivity catch-up relative to the United States is found to be an important secondary force." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Messenger, Jon C. (2011): Working time trends and developments in Europe. In: Cambridge Journal of Economics, Jg. 35, H. 2, S. 295-316. DOI:10.1093/cje/beq022

Abstract

"The objective of this paper is to summarise what is known about key trends and developments in working time across Europe. The European Region analysed in this paper includes not only the 27 current member states of the European Union (EU), but extends even beyond its borders. This paper review trends and patterns in working hours in the broadest range of countries possible given data limitations (especially outside the EU), with a focus on: average weekly hours of work and the proportion of workers working 'excessively long hours' (defined as usual working hours of 48 or more per week); developments regarding one unique form of working time arrangement, part-time work, with a focus on the incidence of part-time work in each country, changes in this incidence over time, the female share of part-time employment and issues related to the quality of part-time jobs; and finally considers trends in the organisation of working time across Europe, with a focus on the incidence of non-standard work schedules (e.g. night work and weekend work) and shift work, as well as the extent to which various types of flexible working time arrangements are being deployed in individual enterprises. Finally, the paper presents some policy suggestions within a broad framework designed to advance the International Labour Organisation (ILO) concept of decent work in the area of working time." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Ngai, Rachel & Christopher A. Pissarides (2011): Taxes, social subsidies, and the allocation of work time. In: American Economic Journal. Macroeconomics, Jg. 3, H. 4, S. 1-26. DOI:10.1257/mac.3.4.1

Abstract

"We examine the allocation of hours of work across industrial sectors in OECD countries. We find large disparities across three sector groups, one that produces goods without home substitutes, and two others that have home substitutes but are treated differently by welfare policy. We attribute the disparities to the countries' tax and subsidy policies. High taxation substantially reduces hours in sectors that have close home substitutes but less so in other sectors. Subsidies increase hours in the subsidized sectors that have home substitutes. We compute these policy effects for 19 OECD countries." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Wirtz, Anna, Friedhelm Nachreiner & Katharina Rolfes (2011): Sonntagsarbeit. Auswirkungen auf Sicherheit, Gesundheit und Work-Life-Balance der Beschäftigten. In: Zeitschrift für Arbeitswissenschaft, Jg. 65, H. 2, S. 136-146.

Abstract

"Obwohl die Anzahl der Beschäftigten in biologisch und sozial ungünstigen Arbeitszeiten stetig steigt, liegen bislang nur äußerst wenige Erkenntnisse zu den Effekten der Arbeit am Wochenende, und insbesondere an Sonntagen, auf die Sicherheit, Gesundheit und soziale Teilhabe der Beschäftigten vor. Die vorliegende Studie demonstriert anhand der Daten aus zwei großen und repräsentativen europäischen Umfragen, dass Arbeit an Sonntagen das Risiko für arbeitsbedingte Unfälle sowie gesundheitliche und soziale Beeinträchtigungen deutlich erhöht. Diese Zusammenhänge lassen sich auch nach der Kontrolle potenziell konfundierender Effekte nachweisen. Das durch Sonntagsarbeit offensichtlich erhöhte Risiko für die Gefährdung von Arbeitsschutzzielen sollte daher in der Diskussion um die gesetzlichen Spielräume für die Sonntagsarbeit, z. B. im Einzelhandel, wie bei einer möglichen Revision der europäischen Arbeitszeitrichtlinie sowie insbesondere bei der Gestaltung der konkreten Arbeitszeiten auf jeden Fall angemessen berücksichtigt werden." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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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Carley, Mark (2010): Working time developments 2009. Dublin, 31 S.

Abstract

"In 2009, average collectively agreed weekly working time in the European Union stood at 38.7 hours. The figure was 0.8 hours lower in the pre-2004 EU15 and 0.9 hours higher in the new Member States. Agreed normal annual working time averages around 1,750 hours - just above 1,700 in the EU15 and a little over 1,800 in the new Member States. Of three sectors examined, agreed weekly hours are highest in retail, followed by chemicals and the civil service. Average collectively agreed paid annual leave entitlement stood at 24.5 days across the EU in 2009. This EIRO report also examines statutory working time and leave limits, and actual working hours." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Lehndorff, Steffen, Alexandra Wagner & Christine Franz, Händel, Thomas & Axel Troost (Hrsg.) Europäisches Parlament. Konföderale Fraktion der Vereinigten Europäischen Linken, Nordische Grüne Linke (2010): Arbeitszeitentwicklung in Europa. [Brüssel], 148 S.

Abstract

Seit den 1980er Jahren hat sich die Arbeitszeitlandschaft in Europa zunehmend ausdifferenziert. Auf der einen Seite hat sich die Standardisierung der Arbeitszeiten mittels Tarifvertrag oder - von zunehmender Bedeutung - per Gesetz weiter ausgebreitet. So wurde in den mittel- und osteuropäischen Ländern (wie zuvor in Portugal) nach und nach die gesetzliche Verankerung des 40-Stunden-Standards nachvollzogen. Zugleich wurde mit der Europäischen Arbeitszeitrichtlinie der europäische Standard einer Höchstarbeitszeit von 48 Stunden pro Woche festgeschrieben. Der Bericht enthält eine Bestandsaufnahme der Unterschiede und der Veränderungen in der Arbeitszeitdauer in den Ländern der EU in den letzten zwei Jahrzehnten. Ein Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf der widersprüchlichen Entwicklung bei den Arbeitszeiten von Vollzeitbeschäftigten. Während die Arbeitszeiten in den osteuropäischen Ländern weitgehend um die 41-Stunden-Marke streuen, sind innerhalb der EU-15 sowohl mittel- als auch kurzfristig unterschiedliche Tendenzen zu beobachten. Auffällig sind insbesondere die Arbeitszeitschwankungen in Frankreich. Bei der Teilzeitarbeit sind sowohl die Länderunterschiede als auch die Veränderungsdynamiken wesentlich stärker ausgeprägt als bei der Vollzeitarbeit. Auch die starke und sehr unterschiedliche Dynamik der geschlechtsspezifischen Arbeitszeitunterschiede wird herausgearbeitet. Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt sind die kontrastierenden Tendenzen bei der Herausbildung neuer gesellschaftlicher Arbeitszeitstandards: Die unterschiedlich starke Ausdifferenzierung der Arbeitszeiten in den Ländern der EU findet ihren Ausdruck in den Veränderungen der Häufigkeit bestimmter Wochenarbeitszeiten. Auch hinsichtlich der Arbeitszeiten in Paarhaushalten zeigt sich eine große Differenziertheit in der EU. Bei ungewöhnlichen Arbeitszeiten lässt sich kein einheitlicher Trend feststellen. (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))

Zitatform

Kotowska, Irena E., Anna Matysiak, Marta Styrc, Ariane Pailhe, Anne Solaz & Daniele Vignoli (2010): Second European quality of life survey. Family life and work. Dublin, 96 S.

Abstract

"Demographic change and labour market developments impact significantly on the family life and work of Europeans, with far-reaching consequences for the future. The policy approach in this area has in recent years focused on increasing the employment rates of women, finding ways for both men and women to achieve a better work - life balance and, more recently, promoting a rise in birth rates. This report explores the subject of work and family life across Europe, looking at ways to find a better balance between the demands of work and family responsibilities. Based on data from the second European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS), conducted by Eurofound in 2007, the report analyses tensions between work demands and household and care tasks, against a background of different institutional settings, labour market structures and cultural factors. The findings point to the need for the introduction of measures to adjust working arrangements to the demands of family life, more equal sharing of care responsibilities between men and women, and the improvement of care services for elderly people in order to support family networks in carrying out their care responsibilities." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Morley, John, Fadila Sanoussi, Isabella Biletta & Felix Wolf (2010): Comparative analysis of working time in the European Union. Dublin, 59 S.

Abstract

"The number of hours worked every week or year, and the way in which work is organised, are issues of central concern and interest to both employees and employers. In the case of employees, working hours have a direct bearing on standard of living, level of work-life balance and the overall sustainability of working life. For employers, working time is a key element in the calculation of costs, productivity and competitiveness. Working time, and its regulation, is likewise an important policy issue for national governments. This report, covering the 27 Member States of the EU and Norway, focuses on changes in working time and practices relating to the organisation of work over the period 2000-2006." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Otterbach, Steffen (2010): Mismatches between actual and preferred work time. Empirical evidence of hours constraints in 21 countries. In: Journal of consumer policy, Jg. 33, H. 2, S. 143-161. DOI:10.1007/s10603-009-9116-7

Abstract

"This paper analyses the discrepancy between actual and desired working hours in a multinational setting. Using the latest data of the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) with a focus on work orientations hours constraints in 21 heterogeneous countries are analysed. One major finding is that hours constraints are interrelated with macroeconomic variables such as (a) unemployment rates, (b) GDP per capita as a measure of welfare, (c) average weekly work hours, and (d) income inequality. A subsequent multivariate analysis reveals that, on both macro- and microlevels, sociodemographic variables like prosperity and income, high risk of unemployment, and working conditions play an important role in determining working hours constraints. The results further suggest that, with respect to working conditions, such constraints are also affected by gender issues." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

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))

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Causa, Orsetta (2009): The policy determinants of hours worked across OECD countries. In: OECD Journal: Economic Studies, Jg. 2009, H. 1, S. 9-47.

Abstract

"This article investigates the policy determinants of hours worked among employed individuals in OECD countries, focussing on the impact of taxation, working-time regulations, and other labour and product market policies. It explores the factors underlying cross-country differences in hours worked - in line with previous aggregate approaches - while at the same time it looks more closely at labour force heterogeneity - in the vein of microeconomic labour supply models. The paper shows that policies and institutions have a different impact on working hours of men and women. Firstly, while high marginal taxes create a disincentive to work longer hours for women, their impact on hours worked by men is almost insignificant. Secondly, working-time regulations have a significant impact on hours worked by men, and this impact differs across education categories. Thirdly, other labour and product market policies, in particular stringent employment protection of workers on regular contracts and competition-restraining product market policies, have a negative impact on hours worked by men, over and beyond their impact on employment levels." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Chung, Heejung & Kea Tijdens (2009): Working time flexibility components of companies in Europe. (AIAS working paper 84), Amsterdam, 44 S.

Abstract

"Working time flexibility comprises a wide variety of arrangements, from part-time, overtime, to longterm leaves. Theoretical approaches to grouping these arrangements have been developed, but empirical underpinnings are rare. This paper investigates the bundles that can be found for various flexible working time arrangements, using data of the Establishment Survey on Working Time (ESWT), 2004/2005, covering 21 EU member states and 13 industries. Using factor analyses, the results confirmed that working time arrangements can be grouped into two bundles, one for the employee-centred arrangements, a second for the employer-centred arrangements, and that these two bundles are separate dimensions. We have also tested the stability of the factor analysis outcome, showing that although there are some deviations from the pan- Europe and pan-industry outcome, the naming of the components as flexibility for employees and flexibility for employers can be interpreted as holding rather stable. Lastly, we also find that there are three country clusters that can be found for the 21 European countries using the bundle. The first group consisting of the Northern European countries with Poland and Czech Republic, the second group the continental European countries with UK and Ireland, and lastly, the southern European countries with Hungary and Slovenia." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Ngai, L. Rachel & Christopher A. Pissarides (2009): Welfare policy and the distribution of hours of work. (CEP discussion paper 962), London, 44 S.

Abstract

"We examine the distribution of hours of work across industrial sectors in OECD countries. We find large disparities when sectors are divided into three groups: one that produces goods without home substitutes and two others that have home substitutes - health and social work, and all others. We attribute the disparities to the countries' tax and subsidy policies. High taxation substantially reduces hours in sectors that have close home substitutes but less so in other sectors. Health and social care subsidies increase hours in that sector. We compute these effects for nineteen OECD countries." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Sila, Urban (2009): Can family-support policies help explain differences in working hours across countries? (CEP discussion paper 955), London, 67 S.

Abstract

"It has been suggested in the literature that taxes and subsidies play an important role in explaining the differences in working hours across countries. In this paper I test whether public programmes for family support play a role in explaining this variation. I analyse two types of policies: childcare subsidies and family cash benefits. I distinguish between people with children and people without children. Childcare subsidies should increase working hours in the economy and these effects should differ between people with children and people without children. Public support to families is also expected to decrease the amount of time people spend in childcare at home. I test this using household data for a set of European countries and the US. Empirical analysis, however, does not support the family-policy explanation. The effects of the policies on working hours are weak and insignificant. In regressions with time spent caring for children as a dependent variable, the estimates of the effects contradict the predictions of the theory. Furthermore, I don't find evidence for the expected differences in effects between parents and nonparents. I conclude that family policies are not helpful in explaining the variation in working hours across countries." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Vogel, Sandra (2009): Working time in the European Union. The case of Germany. (EWCO-Comparative Studies), Köln, 15 S.

Abstract

"The aim is to obtain a fuller insight into differences in working time across the European Union and into developments in average hours worked both in total and by specific sections of the work force in different Member States over recent years. The concern is to investigate the factors underlying the changes that are observed in the survey data collected and, in particular, how terms and conditions of employment are changing in relation to working time. In general, data refers to the working time of those in employment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Warneck, Wiebke (2009): Revision of the working directive. What is the state of play? In: Transfer, Jg. 15, H. 1, S. 149-153.

Abstract

Die Arbeitszeitrichtlinie der EU in ihrer ursprünglichen Form stammt aus dem Jahr 1993 und wurde mehrfach ergänzt und verändert (gültige Fassung: EU-Richtlinie 2003/88/EG). Die Arbeitszeitrichtlinie stellt sicher, dass die maximale durchschnittliche wöchentliche Arbeitszeit (einschließlich Überstunden) in der EU 48 Stunden beträgt und enthält u. a. Regelungen für Ruhezeiten, Pausen, Urlaub und Nachtarbeit. Der Beitrag erläutert den seit 2003 andauernden Revisionsprozess der Richtlinie, der zu einem Dauerkonflikt zwischen Europäischem Rat und Europaparlament führte. Dieser betrifft vor allem zwei Punkte: eine von Großbritannien genutzte Ausstiegsklausel aus der Begrenzung der Arbeitszeit auf 48 Stunden und die Rechtsprechung des Europäischen Gerichtshofs zur Frage, ob Bereitschaftszeit als Arbeitszeit zu gelten hat. Nach Meinung der Autorin sind mögliche Kompromisse aus Sicht der Arbeitnehmer unbefriedigend, da sie - auch bei Anerkennung von Bereitschaftszeit als Arbeitszeit - eine Beibehaltung der Ausstiegsklausel beinhalten würden. Sie beklagt, dass der Revisionsprozess der Arbeitszeitrichtlinie als ein Beispiel dafür gelten kann, dass Europa als Ganzes nicht in der Lage ist, die Arbeitsstandards im Sinne der Arbeitnehmer zu erhöhen, wenn einzelne Mitgliedstaaten auf einmal gefassten Regelungen bestehen. (IAB)

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Boeri, Tito, Michael Burda & Francis Kramarz (Hrsg.) (2008): Working hours and job sharing in the EU and USA. Are Europeans lazy? Or Americans crazy? (Report for the Fondazione Rodolfo DeBenedetti), Oxford u. a.: Oxford University Press, 269 S.

Abstract

"In the last 50 years the gap in labour productivity between Europe and the US has narrowed considerably with estimates in 2005 suggesting a EU-US labour productivity gap of about 5 per cent. Yet, average per capita income in the EU is still about 30 % lower than in the US. This persistent gap in income per capita can be almost entirely explained by Europeans working less than Americans. Why do Europeans work so little compared to Americans? What do they do with their spare time outside work? Can they be induced to work more without reducing labour productivity? If so, how? And what is the effect on well-being if policies are created to reward paid work as opposed to other potentially socially valuable activities, like childbearing? More broadly, should the state interfere at all when it comes to bargaining over working hours? This volume explores these questions and many more in an attempt to understand the changing nature of the hours worked in the USA and EU, as well as the effects of policies that impose working hour reductions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Carley, Mark (2008): Working time developments 2008. Dublin, 35 S.

Abstract

"In 2008, average collectively agreed weekly working time in the European Union stood at 38.6 hours; agreed normal annual working time averaged about 1,740 hours. Of the three economic sectors examined in this study, agreed weekly working hours are highest in metalworking (38.7), followed by the banking and local government sectors (both 38.3). Average collectively agreed paid annual leave entitlement was 25.2 days across the EU in 2008, although the total varied significantly between the 'old' and the new Member States. This report also examines statutory working time and leave limits, and actual working hours. This annual update looks at a number of aspects of the duration of working time in the European Union and Norway in 2008, based on contributions from the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) national centres. The study examines the following issues: average weekly working hours as set by collective agreements - both at national level and for three specific economic sectors; statutory limits on weekly and daily working time; average actual weekly working hours; annual leave entitlement, as set by collective agreements and law; and estimates of average collectively agreed annual working time. The report provides a general overview of the current situation and developments regarding working time, but the figures provided should be read with caution, and the various notes and explanations borne in mind. This reflects the fact that there are a number of problems in international comparisons of the length of working time. Comparable data are not collected in all countries, while particular difficulties include the following: the existence of different ways of calculating working time, with annual, rather than weekly calculation increasingly common in some countries (TN0308101S); the fact that working time reductions in some countries have been introduced through extra days off or cuts in annual working hours, leaving the normal working week relatively unchanged; the increasing use of schemes whereby weekly working hours may vary considerably, with an average being maintained over a reference period; the treatment of part-time workers; the differing roles of collective bargaining and legislation, with the latter having an impact on actual hours in some countries, but acting only as a maximum 'safety net' in others." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))