Working time options over the life course: New work patterns and company strategies

Profound socio-economic, demographic and cultural changes currently under way in Europe are modifying the way in which people organise their time and income over the life course. The ageing population, globalisation, the transition from a standard working organisation model to more diversified and individualised structures and changes in the gender division of labour – these are all shifting the boundaries between people’s work and personal lives. At the same time, changes in the timing of entry into and exit from the labour market have considerably reduced the time devoted to paid work.