Cartron, Damien

This report outlines the current situation regarding work intensity, indicating a clear link between work intensity and poor working conditions, both physical and psychological. The analysis is based on findings from the fourth European Working Conditions Survey carried out in 31 countries, including the 27 EU Member States. The analysis reveals sharp variations between different Member States in relation to working hours and the associated gender gap, and points to the huge costs both for workers and companies arising from high work intensity.

The quality of the working lives of European citizens is strongly dependent upon the forms of work organisation within which they operate. This report examines the four main types of work organisation that exist in Europe, outlines the characteristics that distinguish them, and looks at their prevalence in terms of sector, occupation, company size and from a cross country perspective. The analysis is based on findings from the fourth European Working Conditions Survey carried out across 31 countries, including the 27 EU Member States. An executive summary is available.

Work intensity is on the increase in Europe. From 1995 to 2000, employees experienced an intensification of their jobs. This report, based on analysis of the results of the Third European Survey on Working Conditions carried out by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, quantifies and describes the impact of this trend on the workers exposed to it. The pace of work is subject to different constraints which can be grouped into two categories. Industrial constraints are related to a desire to standardise productive activity: production targets, speeds of automatic machine, automatic moving of products. Market constraints on the other hand arise from a concern to adapt to customer demand in the broadest sense. An increase in the pace of work can result in a deterioration of working conditions if it is not compensated by an increase in workers’ autonomy.

This report looks at working hours and work schedules and their implications for living and working conditions. Most European countries have experienced a gradual reduction in working hours over the past two decades, accompanied by different working time arrangements and a variation in individual working hours and rhythms. While this has in general led to an improvement in working conditions, it can also be problematic for some people because of the disruption in work and the stress it generates. In addition, work itself has intensified and the flexibility of working time has resulted in variations in the pattern and duration of working times, the organisation of work in more or less regular cycles and irregular organisational procedures, all of which can lead to a disruption of the normal patterns of living. In short, it is not certain that recent developments in the area of working time and work rhythms have significantly improved the living and working conditions of employees.