Working time reduction: barriers, challenges, benefits and policy implications
Funds research projects worth EUR 3.4 million each that study the economic, social and environmental effects of reduced working time.
The Commission defines working time reduction here specifically as a coordinated cut in weekly hours concentrated into an extra free day each week, with no corresponding cut in pay -- not just any shorter-hours arrangement. Beyond covering at least two of the three impact axes, a winning proposal also has to contribute to at least three of four listed outcomes: deepening stakeholders' understandin…
The Commission wants research on how reducing weekly working hours without a pay cut affects workers, employers and the economy, and what enables or blocks it across different sectors and occupations. It wants projects to cover at least two of three angles — economic, social and environmental impact — and to look at effects on underrepresented groups like women, older workers and people with disabilities.
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