The Institutions of the Work-Leisure Divide (original) (raw)

The immaterial sustenance of work and leisure :A new look at the work leisure model

We introduce a model of labor supply that considers the immaterial sustenance value of work per se. We suggest that people ask for compensation when increasing work hours but also when reducing work hours even when continuing to work part-time. Based on survey results, we show that the reference point (the worker's actual position) is important, and has an effect on the requested compensation when increasing or decreasing the number of hours worked. We find that the requested compensation is neither linear and nor symmetrical, and suggest that welfare policy should take the immaterial sustenance into account.

Are Leisure And Work Productivity Correlated? A Macroeconomic Investigation

Annals - Economy Series, 2016

It is common sense to state that working without being mentally fatigued leads to increased labor productivity. Extensive overtime and putting in long hours on a regular basis without using proper de-stressing methods inhibit work productivity. Recently, several countries have manifested an interest towards reducing the daily work quantum (in 2015 Sweden started the shift to a 6 hours workday, France regulated in 2000 the 35 hours workweek) with the aim of improving the quality of life as well as increasing companies’ economic performance. But does disposing of more free time automatically lead to having a better life or superior business returns? Of course not – spare time also needs to be used effectively in order to achieve these goals. Every person is unique and therefore each individual will opt for different pass time activities to attain mental tension relief. But, there is evidence which sustains that allocating more time to leisure is directly correlated with increased work...

Inequality, leisure time and life skills: individual and social implications for well-being

2012

Some studies on inequality have taken into account the multidimensionality of individual well-being. Nevertheless, few studies have paid attention to leisure time, despite its indisputable influence on wellbeing. The first goal of the paper is to shed light on the empirical evidence on leisure time distribution and its relationship with income; some elaborations on recent data relative to the Italian time use survey 20082009 will be also shown. An evaluation of whether leisure time is correlated with income distribution, compensating for or magnifying income inequality, will be proposed. The paper will also provide an explanation of the socio-economic mechanisms and the incentive system behind the evidence on leisure time distribution and its evolution in the last decades, drawing on the theories of Veblen, Gershuny, Becker and Scitovsky. The second goal of the paper is to consider how individuals endowed with different incomes allocate their leisure time across different activities...

WORK AND LEISURE IN A CONSUMER SOCIETY

In contemporary western society, the role of work has been thoroughgoingly changed since the last decennia. In the contribution, I will focus on the role of work in our society by investigating in what way work today can be understood as a radicalisation of reification (Verdinglichung). I state that the discourse about work today is no longer governed by terms of production or economic activity, but is, in fact, a discourse on consumerism and leisure.

The Long Arm of the Job: A Study of Work and Leisure

Industrial Relations, 1971

DOES WORK AFFECT LEISURE?^ In particular, what effect does work in a factory have on the employee's life away from work? There is a long history of debate on this question. Wilensky? in one of the more recent statements on work and leisure, neatly phrases the main contending positions in the debate. Reviewing arguments starting with Engels, who flailed the working class of England for too much sex and liquor, Wilensky draws out a "compensatory leisure hypothesis" and its alternative, a "spillover leisure hypothesis." These hypotheses, and others related to them, have been discussed and analyzed in a number of recent writings and researches. Unfortunately, many of the arguments have not been accompanied by supporting data, and the data which have been examined have not been suited to a thorough test of the hypotheses. A brief examination of the literature is illustrative. Wilensky examined his hypotheses in the context of a study in Detroit and proposed that: Where the technical and social organization of work offer much freedome.g., discretion in methods, pace or schedule, and opportunity for frequent interaction with fellow workers. .. then work attachments will be strong, work integrated with the rest of life, and ties to community and society solid. Conversely, if the task offers little workplace freedom. .. then work attachments will be weak, work sharply split from leisure, and ties to community and society uncertain.*

Nobody to Play with? The Implications of Leisure Coordination

Contributions to Economic Analysis, 2004

This Discussion Paper is issued within the framework of IZA's research area The Future of Labor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and not those of the institute. Research disseminated by IZA may include views on policy, but the institute itself takes no institutional policy positions.