Working time, the efficiency of the economy, and the well-being of workers (including in the context of digital change and work automation): a legal and comparative analysis of the situation in the EU Member States

Key points

The EESC:

• defines 'working time reduction' as working fewer hours per reference period with the same salary levels, to clearly differentiate between shorter working days in the form of part-time work and compressed working days (that is, the same number of hours worked in fewer days, for example, 4 days of 10 hours);

• considers that working time is one of the aspects of work with the greatest impact on people’s quality of life and is key to the efficient organisation of economic activity in companies;

• notes that, although the average European working week is 37.1 hours, there are major differences between countries and sectors of activity. Available scientific evidence based on pilot projects shows that there may be a positive relationship between a shorter working week and productivity: the shorter the average working week, the higher the productivity. In this context, sector-specific experiments and pilot projects on the relationship between a reduced working week and productivity should be further explored;

• considers that social partners are the key actors in promoting measures to ensure that the highest number of sectors and companies adopt arrangements they deem appropriate. However, not in all countries, nor in all sectors, do the social partners have the same capacity to reach such agreements. The EU institutions and Member States should be encouraged to create favourable conditions in the form of incentives or legislation, for sectors and/or companies wishing to test or adopt such arrangements;

• encourages the introduction of flexible forms of working-time organisation to take into account the situation of different vulnerable groups, with guarantees of decent work;

• considers that social partners at all levels have an important role to play to discuss flexible arrangements, including related to reduction of working time. Social partners need active encouragement and support, through all necessary means, in order to increase the health, work-life balance and efficiency benefits of shorter and/or more flexible working hours;

• recommends promoting new models of flexible work organisation agreed by social partners, including the four-day working week and/or working-time reduction, to support work-life balance. Flexible working-time arrangements strike a balance between employers’ interest in increasing productivity and workers’ interest in improving their work-life balance and the feeling of having an influence on their working time arrangements;

• highlights the positive effects of reduced working time on society, such as demographic renewal, gender equality, a reduced burden on the healthcare system and potentially keeping workers in the world of work for longer, thus creating a positive environment conducive of creativity and innovation. A good social environment not only benefits the state but also companies and workers;

• encourages the EU institutions, national governments and social partners to accelerate the recognition of digital disconnection as a right for all EU workers.