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Work Hours Constraints and Health

Author

Listed:
  • Bell, David N.F.

    (University of Stirling)

  • Otterbach, Steffen

    (University of Hohenheim)

  • Sousa-Poza, Alfonso

    (University of Hohenheim)

Abstract

The issue of whether employees who work more hours than they want to suffer adverse health consequences is important not only at the individual level but also for governmental formation of work time policy. Our study investigates this question by analyzing the impact of the discrepancy between actual and desired work hours on self-perceived health outcomes in Germany and the United Kingdom. Based on nationally representative longitudinal data, our results show that work-hour mismatches (i.e., differences between actual and desired hours) have negative effects on workers’ health. In particular, we show that “overemployment” – working more hours than desired – has negative effects on different measures of self-perceived health.

Suggested Citation

  • Bell, David N.F. & Otterbach, Steffen & Sousa-Poza, Alfonso, 2011. "Work Hours Constraints and Health," IZA Discussion Papers 6126, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp6126
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Germany; health; hours constraints; work time; United Kingdom;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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