Working Time and Workers' Preferences in Industrialized Countries: Finding the Balance

ISBN-13: 9789221196976 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 234 str.

C. Messenger Jon; Jon C. Messenger

Opis

The gradual reduction in weekly working hours in the first half of the last century, which culminated in the widespread adoption of the 'standard' working week by the 1960s, was grounded in a concern for health and safety and for the preservation of time outside of paid labour. Over the last few decades, however, this progressive standardization of working time has given way to a diversification and individualization in working hours as employers have responded to the competitive pressures of globalization by requiring that productivity be enhanced through changes in working-time schedules. As we enter the new century, a common goal has emerged: the removal or liberaliZation of restrictions on unsocial hours and on the variation of working hours. This books draws together an international team of contributors to examine the process.

Recenzje

'The authors provide valuable international comparisons on working time that can be used by trade unionists campaigning on ... vital issues.' - Labour Research

Spis treści

Introduction: Working Time in Industrialized Countries  1. Regulating Working Time Needs and Preferences  2. Working-Hour Gaps: Trends and Issues  3. Working Time Patterns Among Industrialized Countries: A Household Perspective  4. Gender and Working Time in Industrialized Countries  5. Working Time at the Enterprise Level: Business Objectives, Firms' Practices and Workers' Preferences  6. Implications for Working Time Policies

O autorze

Jon . Messenger is a Senior Researcher with the International Labour Office (ILO), Switzerland.