Working time reduction and its impact on productivity: A systematic literature review

This report examines the relationship between working time reduction (WTR) and productivity by conducting a systematic review of 75 empirical studies. The objective is to assess whether reductions in working hours can sustain or enhance productivity, and under which conditions. Among the studies reviewed, 45 include an explicit or clearly inferred measure of productivity linked to WTR, this group represents the foundation of the main analytical classification. A further 30 studies provide relevant contextual evidence on mediating factors, such as well-being and work organisation. European evidence plays a central role, with 20 studies originating from the EU-27 accounting for around one-third of all classifiable studies worldwide. The review identifies three main forms of WTR: compressed workweeks; reductions in weekly hours; and, reductions in both hours and working days. Although not dealing with structural WTR, a fourth category, including flexitime and voluntary reductions, has been also included in the analysis because it provides additional information and it allows us to give a more complete overview of the phenomenon.