Regulating working-time transitions in Europe

Book abstract:

It seems that membership of the 'inclusive society' so often spoken about by political leaders is identified by those wearing the badge of employment, but even that may be only a qualified membership. Full membership requires a multi-layered package of evolutionary job careers, access to lifelong learning opportunities, flexible work arrangements and ability to participate fully in all relevant areas of social life. The role of labour market regulation and working time considerations will impact significantly upon the potential for such full membership.

This work examines the extent to which social integration through transitional labour markets is possible. Organised over eight chapters, it begins by providing a comprehensive introduction to the main issues discussed in the subsequent national case studies, which examine the institutional forms of regulation affecting labour market transitions through working-time adjustments. Chapters two through to eight feature national case studies from Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The book will interest students and scholars, policy researchers and makers engaged in the fields of labour market policy and social sciences generally.

Jacqueline O'Reilly is a Senior Research Fellow in the Labour Market Policy and Employment Research Unit at the Social Science Research Centre Berlin (WZB), Germany.