Sweden: Company policies with regard to the reduction of working time

In common with many industrial countries, both statutory and actual working hours have decreased appreciably in Sweden over the last three decades. One salient feature of working time policy during this period was the creation of conditions for greater flexibility in individual working time over the life cycle while preserving firms competitiveness. Such a policy could not succeed without a broad and active cooperation between social partners. This move towards a negotiated flexibility as part of an economic policy which rejects social exclusion and employment insecurity has been one of the focal points of working time policy in Sweden. While working time has been a key component of Swedish welfare policy, governments and the social partners have consistently refused to consider an across-the board reduction of working time as an effective means of combating unemployment.