Working time and work–life balance in a life course perspective

Report
Updated
7 March 2013
Published
5 February 2013
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Executive summary in 25 languages
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Author(s): 
Anxo, Dominique; Franz, Christine; Kümmerling, Angelika

Abstract

Understanding how working time is organised and how this is impacting on balance of work versus private life is of fundamental importance. This general statement is very much in accordance with the main objective of the Europe 2020 employment strategy, stating that at least Read more
Understanding how working time is organised and how this is impacting on balance of work versus private life is of fundamental importance. This general statement is very much in accordance with the main objective of the Europe 2020 employment strategy, stating that at least 75% of the population aged 20–64 should be employed by 2020, necessitating in many Member States a significant increase in women’s labour market participation. Drawing on data from Eurofound’s fifth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), based on interviews with more than 38,000 respondents in 34 countries, this report documents the prevailing working time patterns of employees, the self-employed and lone parents across five country clusters. It also analyses the relationship between paid employment and domestic activities, work–life balance and working time preferences across the life course. 

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  • Executive summary

    Number of pages: 
    2
    Reference no.: 
    EF12731
    Catalogue info

    Working time and work–life balance in a life course perspective - Executive summary

    Author(s): 
    Eurofound

    Profound changes in household and demographic structure in recent decades have created new needs and challenges in modern industrial societies. Globalisation and increased competition have had a major impact on production methods and work organisation, and on working time and work–life balance. This report, based on the fifth European Working Conditions Survey, examines cross-country differences in actual working hours and working time distribution by gender, employment status, household type and life phase. It discusses factors affecting the work–life balance of individuals and households and analyses the gap between actual and preferred working time. Unpaid work is also addressed by focusing on gender disparities across the life course in the time devoted to domestic and care obligations. Read more in the report - see Related content.

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Part of the series

  • European Working Conditions Survey 2010

    Eurofound’s European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) paints a wide-ranging picture of Europe at work across countries, occupations, sectors and age groups. This series consists of findings from the EWCS 2010, the fifth edition of the survey. The survey was first carried out in 1990.

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