Reduced working hours benefit health, but may increase gender differences

Working fewer hours with the same pay has a positive impact on the health of workers. A logical conclusion, but one that cannot overlook other impacts of this type of measures, such as the unequal distribution of roles between men and women. This is a fact highlighted by a study carried out by the Center for Research in Occupational Health (CISAL), a joint research group of the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and Pompeu Fabra University, and the Health Technology Assessment group in Primary Care and Mental Health (PRISMA), from Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu (PSSJD) and the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute (IRSJD), as well as researchers from the CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health area (CIBERESP). The study is published in the journal Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health.

To reach these conclusions, the team of researchers analysed the studies published in the last eleven years on evaluated experiences of working hours reduction. In total, fifteen studies and reports focusing on sixteen experiences implemented in Europe. Of these, seven in Scandinavian countries, five in Western Europe, with two in Spain, and three that include both areas. Thirteen were carried out in the public sector and only two in the private sector, none of them in the industrial sector. The reduction in working hours in the different interventions studied ranges from 10 to 25% of the working day.

In general, all the studies indicate that working fewer hours while receiving the same salary has a positive impact on mental and physical health, as well as on the balance between work and personal life, although in some cases they note that negative effects may occur at the time of implementation until adaptation to the new situation. In this way, all the analysed studies indicate improvements in the work-life balance, while 82% do so in relation to mental health, which includes a reduction in stress, less fatigue and burnout, less anxiety and greater recovery capacity. 58% show improvements in health and general well-being, both perceived health by the person themselves, as well as feelings of happiness and life satisfaction. People participating in these measures improve their rest, show lower levels of fatigue and enjoy more time with family. At the same time, they engage in more physical activity and show less obesity, according to some of the studies.

Effects that can be attributed to lower exposure to stressful situations linked to the workplace. And, at the same time, to having more time for a personal life beyond daily work.

Gender roles are accentuated

Despite the recorded improvements, Dr. Mireia Utzet, researcher in the CISAL group and co-first author of the study, points out that “reducing hours is not enough; other interventions with a gender perspective are also needed.” The study indicates that, in general, the evaluated working hours reduction measures imply that women dedicate more time to caregiving tasks and domestic responsibilities at home, while men take advantage of the extra time for personal use.

“If we only reduce working hours, without a more structural change in how life and society are organized, this hours reduction will impact men and women differently,” explains Utzet. In this sense, the conclusions of the study indicate that the measures are no less positive in the case of women, but that differential social organization according to gender may be sharpened.

Dr. Mercè Soler, researcher at Somrise, at Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, and at the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, and co-first author of the study, explains that “we need to incorporate the gender perspective into the debate on working hours reduction, because creating a society that is effectively healthier for both men and women is not just a matter of working hours.”

Working the same amount in fewer hours

At the same time, the team responsible for the study indicates that, to obtain a positive effect, the reduction in hours cannot be linked to an increase in work demands to do the same job in less time. If not accompanied by other organizational measures to improve working or employment conditions, they point out that positive effects on workers will not be achieved, but rather the negative aspects of job precarity will be maintained. In this regard, they argue that any initiative of this type must take into account the analysis of other working and employment conditions that may impact the health of workers.

The published work is based on a study funded by the General Union of Workers (UGT).

Reference article

Utzet M, Soler M, Ramada JM, Menéndez M, Silva-Peñaherrera M, Benavides FG, Serra C. Exploring the health and well-being benefits of reduced working hours with maintained salary: A scoping review and evidence map. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2026 Jan 26:4266. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.4266. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41582927.