Handbook of Research on Comparative Human Resource Management
This chapter focuses on flexible working time arrangements and presents flexible work schedule pr... more This chapter focuses on flexible working time arrangements and presents flexible work schedule practices as they vary among individuals, organisations and nations, explaining reasons for observed variations. It highlights the need to focus on specific types of flexible work options; distinctions between availability, access, and use; as well as formal and informal use practices. We show that, depending on the metric used, flexibility can be seen as widely available, or as seriously constrained or limited. If structured as employee-centred, flexible work arrangements can improve work-family harmonisation. Creating contexts with flexible work options that can enhance employee well-being requires attention at the organisational level, with cultural contexts that support both formal and informal implementation, as well as national level policies that regulate the terms under which work hours can be, and should be, open to adjustment by employees.
Fair Workweek legislation has sprung up organically around the country in response to the prevale... more Fair Workweek legislation has sprung up organically around the country in response to the prevalence and consequences of work schedules that may be unstable, unpredictable or unreliable. Labor standards need to be updated to deal with the widespread use of last minute, on-call or inadequate work hours, and their adverse consequences for workers. A new survey of 1,717 workers throughout the state of Illinois workers was conducted between October, 2017 – March, 2018, including full-time, part-time and non-standard (e.g., contractor, temp) workers. It oversamples Chicago residents, low and middle income households and hourly paid workers. It uses both online and in-person survey collection methods. Over 40 percent of hourly paid workers have at least occasional on-call work, often with very short advance notice, and almost half have little to no input into their daily work schedules. Over a third of all workers have less than one week’s advance notice of their schedule and almost half have a preference to work more hours for more income. Irregular shift working and hours - underemployment are both higher among part time workers. From the findings, a list of public policy recommendations are offered to address the erratic work schedules and their documented work-life time conflict consequences found here for working people.
We study how working schedule flexibility (flextime) affects happiness. We use a US General Socia... more We study how working schedule flexibility (flextime) affects happiness. We use a US General Social Survey (GSS) pooled dataset containing the Quality of Worklife and Work Orientations modules for 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. We retain only respondents who are either full-time or part-time employees on payrolls. For flextime to be associated with greater happiness, it has to be more than just sometimes flexible or slight input into one’s work schedule, that is, little flextime does not increase happiness. But substantial flextime has large effect on happiness–the size effect is about as large as that of household income, or about as large as one-step increase in self-reported health, such as up from good to excellent health. Our findings provide support for both public and organizational policies that would promote greater work schedule flexibility or control for employees.
Many organizations are increasingly relying on less predictable and stable shifts with shorter ad... more Many organizations are increasingly relying on less predictable and stable shifts with shorter advance notice scheduling, even on-call work. Meanwhile, the integration of work and nonwork life is increasingly dependent on employees’ ability to receive their preferred work schedule. Some employees have been gaining more autonomy over their hours or schedules, however, many others actually have less control. When an employee works on an irregular or on-call shift, what are the effects on work-family balance and work stress? The incidence and effects of unstable work schedules are explored here using General Social Survey (GSS) data and its Quality of Worklfe (QWL) modules, and other one-time polls. Estimates are that from 10 percent to 16 percent of workers report working these kind of shifts. Empirical analyses with multi-nomial regression estimation finds that work-family conflict is worsened not only by longer weekly hours, but also by having irregular shift work. Controlling for h...
International Labor Organization (ILO) Conditions of Work and Employment Series, Aug 1, 2012
Abstract: This research synthesis paper attempts to summarize the various effects of working time... more Abstract: This research synthesis paper attempts to summarize the various effects of working time, in its multiple dimensions, described in the research literature in the past years. It covers the available empirical evidence regarding the effects of both hours of work and flexible types of working time arrangements. It discusses in particular the effects of long working hours and flexibility in the timing of work schedules and their impact on both labour productivity and firm performance via the underlying long-run labour costs. It considers the ...
Large clouds of cold atoms prepared in a magneto-optical trap are known to present spatiotemporal... more Large clouds of cold atoms prepared in a magneto-optical trap are known to present spatiotemporal instabilities when the frequency of the trapping lasers is brought close to the atomic resonance. This system bears similarities with trapped plasmas where the role of the Coulomb interaction is played by the exchange of scattered photons, and astrophysical objects such as stars whose size is dependent on radiative forces. We present in this paper a study of the phase-space of such instabilities, and reveal different dynamical regimes. Three dimensional simulations of the highly nonlinear atomic dynamics permit a detailed analysis of the experimental observations.
Abstract: A theoretical economic model is developed to explain the disparities in flexible work s... more Abstract: A theoretical economic model is developed to explain the disparities in flexible work scheduling observed across firms, workplaces, sectors, and time periods. Given heterogeneity in firms' costs, the supply of flextime is determined by firms' costs of enacting versus not adopting it. The innovative practice would be adopted if it generates net unit labor cost savings. If it is cost neutral, the extent to which the supply of flextime falls short of worker demand for it depends on the extent to which employers must accommodate employee ...
Abstract: This paper addresses the on-going controversy regarding whether to allow private sector... more Abstract: This paper addresses the on-going controversy regarding whether to allow private sector employers to substitute compensatory (comp) time for premium pay for workers' overtime work hours. It employs data from a unique survey that actually asked over 800 workers their preference for pay vs. future time off, the Work in America Time is of the Essence survey. The results of statistical analysis suggest that workers' relative preference for comp time is significantly weaker if they have jobs or duties that do not appear to ...
Abstract: Would replacing the conventional work week with a four-day option benefit economic perf... more Abstract: Would replacing the conventional work week with a four-day option benefit economic performance and well-being? In the framework of economics, the question is whether work week reform can make some individuals better off without making other individuals worse off in ways that do not hamper other goals such as efficiency, economic growth, and equity. Social and individual welfare outcomes would depend on whether reforming the work week involves shortening the length of the work day versus ...
Abstract: This article aims to contribute to knowledge regarding determinants of happiness by exa... more Abstract: This article aims to contribute to knowledge regarding determinants of happiness by examining the independent role of worker discretion over working time, using data pooled from two years of a nationally representative US survey. Controlling for a worker ’s income bracket and work hours duration, having work schedule flexibility in the form of an ability to take time off during the work day and, to a slightly lesser extent, to vary starting and quitting times daily, are both associated with greater happiness, whereas an ability to ...
Abstract: Does paid employment during high school and college displace the time students spend in... more Abstract: Does paid employment during high school and college displace the time students spend in educational activities? Most enrolled college students in the US now work in paid jobs, almost half of whom work 25 or more hours per week. An economic approach suggests that students consider the tradeoffs involved with work versus study time allocation in terms of both current income and future earnings capacity and well being. There may be some complementarity, not just substitutability, between work and education time, regarding ...
Wlie workers' preferences regard-Ing work hours by their nature VYv are not directly observa... more Wlie workers' preferences regard-Ing work hours by their nature VYv are not directly observable, re-strictions on individuals' choice of hours of work in a given job are widely acknowledged as a central feature of the labor market and, in many conventional economic studies, of ...
Handbook of Research on Comparative Human Resource Management
This chapter focuses on flexible working time arrangements and presents flexible work schedule pr... more This chapter focuses on flexible working time arrangements and presents flexible work schedule practices as they vary among individuals, organisations and nations, explaining reasons for observed variations. It highlights the need to focus on specific types of flexible work options; distinctions between availability, access, and use; as well as formal and informal use practices. We show that, depending on the metric used, flexibility can be seen as widely available, or as seriously constrained or limited. If structured as employee-centred, flexible work arrangements can improve work-family harmonisation. Creating contexts with flexible work options that can enhance employee well-being requires attention at the organisational level, with cultural contexts that support both formal and informal implementation, as well as national level policies that regulate the terms under which work hours can be, and should be, open to adjustment by employees.
Fair Workweek legislation has sprung up organically around the country in response to the prevale... more Fair Workweek legislation has sprung up organically around the country in response to the prevalence and consequences of work schedules that may be unstable, unpredictable or unreliable. Labor standards need to be updated to deal with the widespread use of last minute, on-call or inadequate work hours, and their adverse consequences for workers. A new survey of 1,717 workers throughout the state of Illinois workers was conducted between October, 2017 – March, 2018, including full-time, part-time and non-standard (e.g., contractor, temp) workers. It oversamples Chicago residents, low and middle income households and hourly paid workers. It uses both online and in-person survey collection methods. Over 40 percent of hourly paid workers have at least occasional on-call work, often with very short advance notice, and almost half have little to no input into their daily work schedules. Over a third of all workers have less than one week’s advance notice of their schedule and almost half have a preference to work more hours for more income. Irregular shift working and hours - underemployment are both higher among part time workers. From the findings, a list of public policy recommendations are offered to address the erratic work schedules and their documented work-life time conflict consequences found here for working people.
We study how working schedule flexibility (flextime) affects happiness. We use a US General Socia... more We study how working schedule flexibility (flextime) affects happiness. We use a US General Social Survey (GSS) pooled dataset containing the Quality of Worklife and Work Orientations modules for 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. We retain only respondents who are either full-time or part-time employees on payrolls. For flextime to be associated with greater happiness, it has to be more than just sometimes flexible or slight input into one’s work schedule, that is, little flextime does not increase happiness. But substantial flextime has large effect on happiness–the size effect is about as large as that of household income, or about as large as one-step increase in self-reported health, such as up from good to excellent health. Our findings provide support for both public and organizational policies that would promote greater work schedule flexibility or control for employees.
Many organizations are increasingly relying on less predictable and stable shifts with shorter ad... more Many organizations are increasingly relying on less predictable and stable shifts with shorter advance notice scheduling, even on-call work. Meanwhile, the integration of work and nonwork life is increasingly dependent on employees’ ability to receive their preferred work schedule. Some employees have been gaining more autonomy over their hours or schedules, however, many others actually have less control. When an employee works on an irregular or on-call shift, what are the effects on work-family balance and work stress? The incidence and effects of unstable work schedules are explored here using General Social Survey (GSS) data and its Quality of Worklfe (QWL) modules, and other one-time polls. Estimates are that from 10 percent to 16 percent of workers report working these kind of shifts. Empirical analyses with multi-nomial regression estimation finds that work-family conflict is worsened not only by longer weekly hours, but also by having irregular shift work. Controlling for h...
International Labor Organization (ILO) Conditions of Work and Employment Series, Aug 1, 2012
Abstract: This research synthesis paper attempts to summarize the various effects of working time... more Abstract: This research synthesis paper attempts to summarize the various effects of working time, in its multiple dimensions, described in the research literature in the past years. It covers the available empirical evidence regarding the effects of both hours of work and flexible types of working time arrangements. It discusses in particular the effects of long working hours and flexibility in the timing of work schedules and their impact on both labour productivity and firm performance via the underlying long-run labour costs. It considers the ...
Large clouds of cold atoms prepared in a magneto-optical trap are known to present spatiotemporal... more Large clouds of cold atoms prepared in a magneto-optical trap are known to present spatiotemporal instabilities when the frequency of the trapping lasers is brought close to the atomic resonance. This system bears similarities with trapped plasmas where the role of the Coulomb interaction is played by the exchange of scattered photons, and astrophysical objects such as stars whose size is dependent on radiative forces. We present in this paper a study of the phase-space of such instabilities, and reveal different dynamical regimes. Three dimensional simulations of the highly nonlinear atomic dynamics permit a detailed analysis of the experimental observations.
Abstract: A theoretical economic model is developed to explain the disparities in flexible work s... more Abstract: A theoretical economic model is developed to explain the disparities in flexible work scheduling observed across firms, workplaces, sectors, and time periods. Given heterogeneity in firms' costs, the supply of flextime is determined by firms' costs of enacting versus not adopting it. The innovative practice would be adopted if it generates net unit labor cost savings. If it is cost neutral, the extent to which the supply of flextime falls short of worker demand for it depends on the extent to which employers must accommodate employee ...
Abstract: This paper addresses the on-going controversy regarding whether to allow private sector... more Abstract: This paper addresses the on-going controversy regarding whether to allow private sector employers to substitute compensatory (comp) time for premium pay for workers' overtime work hours. It employs data from a unique survey that actually asked over 800 workers their preference for pay vs. future time off, the Work in America Time is of the Essence survey. The results of statistical analysis suggest that workers' relative preference for comp time is significantly weaker if they have jobs or duties that do not appear to ...
Abstract: Would replacing the conventional work week with a four-day option benefit economic perf... more Abstract: Would replacing the conventional work week with a four-day option benefit economic performance and well-being? In the framework of economics, the question is whether work week reform can make some individuals better off without making other individuals worse off in ways that do not hamper other goals such as efficiency, economic growth, and equity. Social and individual welfare outcomes would depend on whether reforming the work week involves shortening the length of the work day versus ...
Abstract: This article aims to contribute to knowledge regarding determinants of happiness by exa... more Abstract: This article aims to contribute to knowledge regarding determinants of happiness by examining the independent role of worker discretion over working time, using data pooled from two years of a nationally representative US survey. Controlling for a worker ’s income bracket and work hours duration, having work schedule flexibility in the form of an ability to take time off during the work day and, to a slightly lesser extent, to vary starting and quitting times daily, are both associated with greater happiness, whereas an ability to ...
Abstract: Does paid employment during high school and college displace the time students spend in... more Abstract: Does paid employment during high school and college displace the time students spend in educational activities? Most enrolled college students in the US now work in paid jobs, almost half of whom work 25 or more hours per week. An economic approach suggests that students consider the tradeoffs involved with work versus study time allocation in terms of both current income and future earnings capacity and well being. There may be some complementarity, not just substitutability, between work and education time, regarding ...
Wlie workers' preferences regard-Ing work hours by their nature VYv are not directly observa... more Wlie workers' preferences regard-Ing work hours by their nature VYv are not directly observable, re-strictions on individuals' choice of hours of work in a given job are widely acknowledged as a central feature of the labor market and, in many conventional economic studies, of ...
Does paid employment during high school and college displace the time students spend in education... more Does paid employment during high school and college displace the time students spend in educational activities? Most enrolled college students in the US now work in paid jobs, almost half of whom work 25 or more hours per week. An economic approach suggests that students consider the tradeoffs involved with work versus study time allocation in terms of both current income and future earnings capacity and well being. There may be some complementarities, not just substitutability, between work and education time, regarding educational outcomes. Previous research tends to find that when paid hours exceed some threshold level, typically somewhere between 15 and 25 hours per week, various indicators of students’ academic performance are lower. Longer work hours also undermine certain aspects of mental health. This research applies the pooled 2003-2005 American Time Use Survey (ATUS) data (n=47k#) to empirically investigate four main questions: (1) Are paid work hours of students associat...
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