Patterns of working time, Labour force survey, 2005

The number of employees working outside regular working hours was 648 000, or 31 per cent, in the second quarter of 2005, according to figures from the Labour Force Survey. The majority of employees working inconvenient hours have shift work. This applies to 22 per cent of all employees.

Still most common in the hotel and restaurant industry

Inconvenient hours are still most common in the hotel and restaurant industry, as well as in transport, health and social services and retail trade. In the hotel and restaurant industry, 66 per cent of employees work Saturdays on a regular basis, more than 40 per cent work on Sundays and evenings, and 20 per cent work night shifts. In the transport and communication industry and within health and social services, shift work is the most common working time arrangement outside ordinary working hours. Saturday work is most common for employees in retail trade.

Most common among young employees

Almost half of the 259 000 employees aged 16-24 work outside regular working hours. Saturday work is most common in this age group, as 42 per cent work Saturdays. This is clearly above the average 20 per cent for all employees. In addition, evening work is very common.

Inconvenient hours among young employees are most common in the hotel and restaurant industry and retail trade. In addition, a large proportion of young women work shifts in health and social services.

Men work full-time, women work part-time

Shift work is more common among women than men, as 27 per cent of women work shifts compared with 18 per cent for men. A higher share of women than men work on Saturdays as well. The figures were more or less the same in the second quarter of 2004.

In general, it is more common among part-time employees to work inconvenient hours. 30 per cent of part-time employees work shifts, compared with 19 per cent for full-time workers. In particular, Saturday work, evening work and regular shift work are more common among part-time than full-time employees. Shift work is more common among women who work part time than women who work full-time, at 32 and 22 per cent respectively.

Among adult men (25 years and older), it is most common to work outside ordinary working hours in the manufacturing and transport industry, and they mainly work full-time. In health and social services and in retail trade, inconvenient hours are more common among women, who, to a large extent, work part-time.

Weekend work for temporary employees

Inconvenient working hours is still more common among temporary employees than permanent staff. The difference is greatest when it comes to regular Saturday and Sunday work (5 per cent), followed by evening work (3 per cent). The difference between temporary employees and permanent staff is greatest for women. The figures were more or less the same in the second quarter of 2004, except that the proportion of temporary employees who work evenings has fallen slightly from the second quarter of 2004.

Tables:

• Table 1 Employees who regulary work outside ordinary hours or shift work by sex and age. Second quarter 2005. Per cent
• Table 2 Employees who regulary work outside ordinary hours or shift work by sex and industry. Second quarter 2005. Per cent
• Table 3 Employees who regulary work outside ordinary hours or shift work by occupation. Second quarter 2005. Per cent
• Table 4 Employees who regulary work outside ordinary hours or shift work by sex and conditions of appointment. Second quarter 2005. Per cent
• Table 5 Employees who regulary work outside ordinary hours or shift work by age and working hours. Second quarter 2005. Per cent
• Table 6 Male employees who regulary work outside ordinary hours or shift work by age and working hours . Second quarter 2005. Per cent
• Table 7 Employees who regulary work outside ordinary hours or shift work by age and working hours. Second quarter 2005. Per cent