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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

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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.
    2. Ya Guo & Senhu Wang, 2025. "Beyond the Individual: Unraveling the Couple-Level Effects of Working Time Mismatch on Work-Life Outcomes Among Working Parents," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 177(1), pages 153-177, March.

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