Working Hours and Gender Equality: Examples from Care Work in the Swedish Public Sector

Abstract

This study addresses questions related to the double‐edged character of part‐time work by looking at the Swedish situation, with its large share of female part‐time work as well as a high share of involuntary part‐time employment among women. The discussion relates to the changing conditions in and ongoing modernization of the public sector — an important employer for women — with a focus on care work organized by the municipalities. The issue that is addressed is the part‐time regime that characterizes these jobs and the likely consequences of a policy change on contracted working hours. This change has been brought about by concerns on the need to meet the growing demand for personnel in care work but also by a generally expressed dissatisfaction among the women who are employed part‐time involuntarily. The attempt by several municipalities to introduce more full‐time positions is a result of a government programme (2002–2005) aiming to reduce the problem with part‐time unemployment. Based on the reports from that programme, this article explores the consequences of the ongoing remodelling of the working time regime, especially concerning gender equality.

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