Flexible working hours and well-being in Finland

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Occupational Health
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Working hour flexibility increased in Finland during the 1990s.
• A 2000 survey revealed widespread overtime and irregular hours among Finnish employees.
• While many employees accommodated company needs, individual control over work schedules was limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of different types of working hour flexibility in Finland.
• To examine the relationship between work schedule control and employee well-being.
• To assess the impact of flexibility on work-family balance and distress.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from a representative survey of 1790 Finnish wage and salary earners in early 2000.
• Analyzed reported working hours, overtime, and the degree of individual control over schedules.
• Correlated flexibility levels with reported distress symptoms and work-family conflicts.

Main Results:

• A large majority of employees (76% male, 65% female) regularly worked overtime or had irregular hours.
• Only about one-third of employees could regulate their own working hours.
• Employees without control over their flexible hours reported more distress and work-family conflicts.

Conclusions:

• A balance between company-driven and individual flexibility is needed.
• Empowering employees with control over their working hours enhances well-being.
• Investing in individually determined flexibility can boost both employee well-being and organizational productivity.