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Working‐time preferences among women: Challenging assumptions on underemployment, work centrality and work–life balance

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  • Laura LAMOLLA
  • Conxita FOLGUERA‐I‐BELLMUNT
  • Xavier FERNÁNDEZ‐I‐MARÍN

Abstract

This article examines the working‐time preferences of women working 20‐hour weeks, on different, stable schedules, in manufacturing jobs. The authors conducted qualitative and quantitative research to identify worker profiles based on these women's working‐time preferences and the reasons for them. Their findings add nuance to previous research by highlighting that: (1) some, but not all, of these employees can be considered underemployed; (2) working 20 hours a week does not equate to low work centrality and is compatible with working hours being experienced as meaningful; (3) some part‐time women workers want to keep time for non‐caring, non‐working activities despite earning a low salary.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura LAMOLLA & Conxita FOLGUERA‐I‐BELLMUNT & Xavier FERNÁNDEZ‐I‐MARÍN, 2021. "Working‐time preferences among women: Challenging assumptions on underemployment, work centrality and work–life balance," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 160(3), pages 431-451, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:intlab:v:160:y:2021:i:3:p:431-451
    DOI: 10.1111/ilr.12193
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. Nussbaum, Martha C., 2001. "Symposium on Amartya Sen's philosophy: 5 Adaptive preferences and women's options," Economics and Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(1), pages 67-88, April.
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    5. Theo SPARREBOOM, 2018. "Occupational segregation by hours of work in Europe," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 157(1), pages 65-82, March.
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    7. Frédéric Salladarré & Boubaker Hlaimi, 2014. "Analysis of the determinants of Temporary employment in 19 European countries," Working Papers hal-00174817, HAL.
    8. Bünning, Mareike & Pollmann-Schult, Matthias, 2016. "Family policies and fathers’ working hours: cross-national differences in the paternal labour supply," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 30(2), pages 256-274.
    9. Dominique Anxo & Letizia Mencarini & Ariane Pailhe & Anne Solaz & Maria Letizia Tanturri & Lennart Flood, 2011. "Gender Differences in Time Use over the Life Course in France, Italy, Sweden, and the US," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(3), pages 159-195.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ondřej Dvouletý, 2023. "Underemployment and overemployment in Central Europe," Economics and Business Letters, Oviedo University Press, vol. 12(2), pages 147-156.

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