Job Discussion Forums

[nomad soul]

World's shortest work weeks
By Annalyn Kurtz, CNNMoney | 2013 July 10
Source: http://money.cnn.com/gallery/news/economy/2013/07/10/worlds-shortest-work-weeks/index.html

(CNN) Americans work an average of 38 hours a week, even after factoring in part-time jobs. Here are 10 industrialized nations where workers have shorter hours.

1. Netherlands
Average hours per week: 29 / Average annual wages: $47,000
The four-day workweek is nearly standard in the Netherlands, especially among working moms. About 86% of employed mothers worked 34 hours or less each week last year, according to Dutch government statistics. Among fathers, about 12% also worked a shortened workweek. Dutch laws promote a work-life balance and protect part-time workers. All workers there are entitled to fully paid vacation days, maternity and paternity leave. A law passed in 2000 also gives workers the right to reduce their hours to a part-time schedule, while keeping their job, hourly pay, health care and pro-rated benefits. Overall, the entire workforce averages around 29 hours a week -- the lowest of any industrialized nation, according to the OECD (oecd.org).

2. Denmark
Average hours per week: 33 / Average annual wages: $46,000
When the OECD ranked nations based on work-life balance last year, Denmark came out on top. The work culture in Denmark is similar to that in the rest of Scandinavia. Flexible work schedules are common and paid vacation time is ample. Danish workers average 33 hours a week and have a right to at least five weeks of paid vacation each year. Meanwhile, Denmark's labor laws are based on a concept called "flexicurity" -- a unique model in which it's easy for employers to either hire or fire workers, but workers are also protected by a generous government safety net. Unemployment benefits can last up to two years.

3. Norway
Average hours per week: 33 / Average annual wages: $44,000
Norway's labor laws are among the most generous in the world, granting workers a minimum of 21 paid vacation days a year and often allowing parents with young children the right to reduce their hours. In addition, maternity leave can extend to 43 weeks at full pay, or 53 weeks at reduced pay. Part-time work is common, especially among women, and overall, workers average 33 hours of work per week.

4. Ireland
Average hours per week: 34 / Average annual wages: $51,000
Average working hours in Ireland have fallen considerably over the last 30 years. Whereas Irish workers averaged around 44 hours a week back in 1983, they averaged about 34 hours in 2012. Part of the decline is due to an exodus from full-time farming jobs (farmers usually report longer working hours than any other occupation). Meanwhile, part-time jobs have been growing at a faster pace than overall employment -- a trend that could be partly due workers' own preferences, but also due to a weaker job market.

5. Germany
Average hours per week: 35 / Average annual wages: $40,000
Part-time work was already becoming increasingly common in Germany over time, but became even more so during the Great Recession. As of 2012, about 1 in 4 German workers were on part-time schedules. Germany has had work-sharing programs in place for decades, but made a special push amid the global economic crisis to persuade more employers to reduce hours, as an alternative to laying off workers. As part of the policy, known as Kurzarbeit in German, the government partially reimburses workers for their lost wages. Work sharing is partly credited with saving jobs and lowering the country's unemployment rate. Germany's unemployment was recently around 5%, whereas it remains above 7% in the United States.

6. Switzerland
Average hours per week: 35 / Average annual wages: $50,000
Swiss people are some of the happiest folks in the world, according to the OECD. That should be no surprise, given Swiss workers earn nearly the same as the average American worker, but work 155 hours less each year. About a third of them are on part-time schedules. A whopping 79% of the country's working-age population are employed, the highest of any industrialized nation. In comparison, only about 67% of Americans ages 15 to 65 have a job.

7. Belgium
Average hours per week: 35 / Average annual wages: $44,000
Belgium wants to prevent workers from getting burnt out. That's why the government created "career breaks." Every Belgian worker is entitled to a one-year break during their working lifetime. During this time off, the worker receives an allowance from the government. Belgian law also entitles workers to 15 weeks maternity leave, 10 days paternity leave, and in addition to that, up to three months parental leave, which can be taken in short increments up to a child's 12th birthday. Belgians work an average of 35 hours a week, and over an entire year, average about 210 fewer hours than American workers.

8. Sweden
Average hours per week: 36 / Average annual wages: $38,000
The working culture in Sweden is largely driven by agreements with trade unions. Collective bargaining has pushed for a gradually shorter work week over time, as well as flexible working hours and telecommuting. Part-time work is dominated by women workers so much so that in some cases, trade unions have argued for women's rights to work more hours. On average, Swedes work about 143 fewer hours than American workers every year.

9. Australia
Average hours per week: 36 / Average annual wages: $45,000
Australian law puts the official work week at 38 hours, and the average Aussie works almost that much. The Australian government passed new labor standards in 2009, laying out 10 minimum protections for workers. Those conditions give workers a right to public holidays, severance pay and leave under a variety of scenarios, including community service work.

10. Italy
Average hours per week: 36 / Average annual wages: $34,000
Like Germany, Italy's government has encouraged work-sharing for decades. Meanwhile, the maximum work week for full-time employees is 40 hours, and overtime is limited to 8 hours on top of that. Employers can face fines if workers exceed that amount. Workers are also entitled to at least four weeks of paid vacation each year.

(End of article)

[Prof.Gringo]