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A Short History of Flexible Hours - Historical Baselines of Working Time Policy in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Promberger, Markus

    (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg, Germany)

Abstract

"This paper analyses the structures and patterns, dimensions and interest relations behind 200 years of working time negotiations and conflicts, based on historical and contemporary literature and research, mainly but not exclusively in Germany. One main thesis is that ‘new’ flexibilization trends are not new at all, while the effective standardization of working hours is limited to a couple of decades in the 20th century. Nevertheless and for various reasons, working time arrangements are a social and political issue which should not be left to individual contracting but subject to reflexive labour policy." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Suggested Citation

  • Promberger, Markus, 2021. "A Short History of Flexible Hours - Historical Baselines of Working Time Policy in Germany," IAB-Discussion Paper 202117, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    • Handle: RePEc:iab:iabdpa:202117
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    File URL: https://doku.iab.de/discussionpapers/2021/dp1721.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Balleer, Almut & Gehrke, Britta & Lechthaler, Wolfgang & Merkl, Christian, 2016. "Does short-time work save jobs? A business cycle analysis," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 99-122.
    2. Ogilvie,Sheilagh & Cerman,Markus (ed.), 1996. "European Proto-Industrialization," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521497381, January.
    3. Ogilvie,Sheilagh & Cerman,Markus (ed.), 1996. "European Proto-Industrialization," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521497602, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General
    • N30 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N35 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Asia including Middle East
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe
    • O35 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Social Innovation

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