Promotion of flexible working hours (and opening hours)

FACT SHEET NO.: Cat-No.8 / Subcat-No.8.1-1

8. Other

8.1 Alternative commuting solutions

Promotion of flexible working hours (and opening hours)

The promotion of flexibility of working time refers to the length and distribution of working time (e.g. flexitime, compressed work week, staggered shifts, etc.). A variety of goals are comprised:
- enterprise competitiveness, to respond to sudden changes in demand, adapt to new technologies and be in a position to innovate constantly;
- family orientated working times, to improve the balance between company and private life;
- education orientated working times, to promote life long learning;
- age orientated working times, to support the extension of gainful activity;
- 'transport' orientated working times, to prevent congestion and support an efficient use of transport services.
In many countries, this kind of policy is applied during parental leave and for parents and carers during a limited period of time; nevertheless, alternative work arrangements for all employees may be introduced also for the purposes mentioned above and are the objective of the TPM under analysis. So far, this approach has been introduced only in a minority of countries. [2][7]

Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Finland: Legislation on Flexibility / organisation of working time
UK: Oxfordshire County Council / Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Major Projects / Nationwide Building Society
Canada: City of Edmonton / Royal Bank
USA: Southern California Association of Governments / City of Avondale

In a 'transport' orientated view, the TPM aims at reducing congestion (at least spreading the traffic over a longer period of time around peak periods), and promote an efficient use of public transport services. [4] [7]
From a social point of view, the objective is mainly to improve the balance between company and private life, in the view of increasing quality of life. [4][7][8]
From the employer point of view, the TPM might increase productivity and competitiveness. [4][8]

Possible change, depending on availability and choice during the selected time period [5] [6] [7]

No major change

Possible change, depending on the possibility of 'compressed working week' [4] [7] [8]

Possible change, depending on choice during the selected time period

Major changes [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Possible change, depending on choice during the selected time period. Both on private and public transport modes. [4] [8]

Possible change, depending on mode choice during the selected time period

[1] EC DG EMPL (2009): Flexible working time arrangements and gender equality - A comparative review of 30 European countries
[2] House of Commons All-Party Parliamentary Small Business Group (2009): Flexible Working: Challenges for Business, UK
[3] A. Ilsøe (2009): Decentralisation of working hours in Denmark – a win-win situation for employers and employees?, DK
[4] EPA (1998): Transportation Control Measures: Work Schedule Changes, USA
[5] Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat (2006): Nota Mobiliteit. Deel IV - Na parlementaire behandeling vastgestelde PKB, NL
[6] Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Milieu (2011): Ontwerp Structuurvisie Infrastructuur en Ruimte, Den Haag, NL
[7] Victoria Transport Policy Institute, Alternative Work Schedules (http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm15.htm), CA
[8] Transport for London (2011): Smarter Working guide, London (UK)