Time Use and Work–Life Options Over the Life Course: First European Quality of Life Survey

By Anália Torres, Rui Brites, Barbara Haas; Nadia Steiber

The organisation of time over the life course is a central element in working conditions and plays a major part in determining individual quality of life.

This report looks at patterns of time use in relation to three key phases of life: paid employment, unpaid work, such as caring for family and household work, and training or studying. The analysis is based on the Foundation's First European Quality of Life Survey which was carried out across 28 countries: the EU27 and Turkey. The report looks at the needs of people in terms of reconciling various time-demanding commitments, and how measures such as flexible working hours, phased or early retirement, or career breaks could facilitate these needs. The findings point to significant gender, generational and cross-country differences in time use and preferences and highlight the need to address issues such as gender segregation in the labour market, the ageing problem and access to lifelong learning.

(European Foundation for the Improvement in Living and Working Conditions, 2007)