Out of Control. Changes in Working-Time Patterns and Strategies for a Work-Life Balance in Europe

The paper focuses on restructuring process and changes in temporal model of working time in European countries. It argues that changing demands on working time have enormous impacts on establishing work-life balance and that – to a great extent – the consequences are shouldered by women. In assessing these changing demands, it is crucial to consider the occupational context, in particular the level of autonomy in determining their working time, the skills, the dedication to work. Women working in semi-skilled and low-skilled occupations are more likely to adhere to traditional gender roles and suffer much more from externally-imposed temporal frameworks and organisational changes