Articles

Can part-time work really make you happy?

05/06/2015

Would you be happier if you could work fewer hours? The workers in the Netherlands seem to think so.

For several years now the Netherlands has been ranked as one of the best places to live. It is listed as the 7^th country with the highest life satisfaction score.

In a report published by the Economist on May 11 it was stated that the Dutch are some of the happiest people due mainly to part-time work.

A significant section of the population, actually over half of them, work part-time. This figure is much higher than the 20% rate in other EU states. Dutch part-time workers currently work 36 or less hours per week. 

To date no study has directly linked happiness to working less hours, FlexJob released results on February 2015 which suggested that workers are happier working fewer hours. This survey involved 2000 workers. A staggering 90% said that a flexible work pattern would help them to reduce stress. 89% admitted that a part-time job and flexible schedule would give them more time to spend with family and friends.

British expatriate Mihal Greener who wrote in Huffington Post's UK Lifestyle blog section, stated that fewer hours and a more flexible timetable would help keep both adults and children happier.

A quote from Greener, who is also raising kids, states the following:

"With many dads taking on part-time work and Dutch women leading the way with part-time work amongst OECD countries, Dutch parents are not weighed under by the demands of balancing work and family. And relaxed parents means relaxed kids."