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Work Schedules

Author

Listed:
  • DeVaro, Jed

    (California State University, East Bay)

Abstract

In a new model of work schedules, employers choose the number of working hours and either dictate the exact hours to be worked or delegate that decision to workers via flextime. Workers' preferences over schedules influence their productivities. An inverted-U-shaped hours-output profile arises; flextime policies shift its peak to the right. Long hours are found to go hand-in-hand with flextime, and the employer finds flextime less appealing when wages exogenously increase. Analysis of a worker-employer matched panel of British workplaces surveyed in 2004 and 2011 reveals that flextime and other flexible work practices mitigate the productivity-eroding consequences of long hours.

Suggested Citation

  • DeVaro, Jed, 2024. "Work Schedules," IZA Discussion Papers 17061, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17061
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    File URL: https://docs.iza.org/dp17061.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    work hours; labor productivity; human resources management practices; flextime; work-life flexibility; workplace flexibility; work schedules; scheduling; working from home; flexible work practices; diminishing returns;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects
    • M50 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - General
    • M59 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Other

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