SYNCHRONIZATION OF WORK SCHEDULES

Why do people work intermittently and why do they synchronize their wo rk schedules? A group of interacting workers who differ in tastes is a nalyzed. A lifetime labor supply model is developed which combines tir ing, rhythmic changes in the environment and interactions among worker s, arising from communication and coordination. A multiplicity of sync hronized equilibria arises. These equilibria can be ranked according t o the length of the work period. Equilibria with longer hours are pref erred by all workers in the group. The worker with the highest aversio n to work sets the standard and others conform to him.