Organisation of working time: Implications for productivity and working conditions. Overview Report

Companies in search of improved productivity use a wide range of approaches, from financial incentives and skills upgrading and training to increased autonomy of individuals and teams. Working time flexibility has the added advantage in that it can benefit both workers and employers: it gives workers more control over their work–life balance and allows companies to adjust more easily to changing economic circumstances. Eurofound research studied five companies in manufacturing and retail in Belgium, Hungary and the Netherlands. It found that national and sectoral factors play a big role in determining the use of certain types of flexibility. However, there is evidence that introducing new working time arrangements can improve productivity if it is well-planned, properly negotiated and in line with other company policies. The report examines working time flexible arrangements implemented in five companies of the retail and automotive sector in Hungary and Belgium and the Netherlands using the case study methodology. The main aim of this research was to explore and show whether and under what conditions working time flexible arrangements in companies are implemented and can increase productivity and at the same time preserve or improve quality of work in general and especially with regard to work–life balance.