FLEXIBLE WORKING IN EUROPE

This research paper analyzes and reports upon the current practice of flexible working amongst organizations in Europe: focussing on current developments in the use, by employing organizations, of part-time wor kers and a range of contractual variations (temporary work; fixed-term contracts etc). The analysis draws heavily, though not exclusively, u pon a substantial, independent database of organizational level questi onnaire responses covering all sectors of the economy in 14 European c ountries. We provide evidence that across Europe there is a substantia l amount of flexible working and that there has been a continuing incr ease in its use. It is argued that these developments have considerabl e, as yet little understood, implications for policy makers, individua ls and employers.