Translation of "flexible work hours " (English → French) :

11. Draws attention to the increasing prevalence of flexible working hours: weekend work, irregular and unpredictable working hours and the extension of the working day, and to the fact that, given that the demand for flexibility is greatest amongst part-time workers, who are mostly women, this means that more women than men have their working hours changed from week to week, making it even harder for women to strike a balance between work ...[+++] and family life, especially single mothers and those caring for dependent family members; stresses that work contracts should be stable and working hours scheduled, but that working hours may be negotiated upon the employee’s request in order better to reconcile professional, family and private life; emphasises that flexible working hours should be the worker’s decision, and should not be imposed or enforced by the employer; rejects situations of flexibility and contractual uncertainty that do not allow for family formation and stability;

Promote and increase flexibility combined with employment security and reduce labour market segmentation, and promote good industrial relations on the basis of independent and representative trade unions and improved information and consultation of workers through: the adaptation and streamlining of employment legislation, reviewing where necessary the level of flexibility and security provided by permanent and non-permanent contracts; better anticipation and positive management of change, including economic restructuring, notably changes linked to trade opening, so as to minimise their social costs and facilitate adaptation to new real ...[+++]ities ; support for transitions in occupational status, including training, self-employment, business creation and geographic mobility; the promotion and dissemination of innovative and adaptable forms of work organisation; effective measures to reduce workplace accidents by means of improved prevention of workplace risks, especially through agreements at European level , and by diversity of contractual arrangements together with flexible working hours , with a view to improving quality of employment, productivity at work and the reconciliation of family life and work , adaptation to new technologies in the workplace, determined action to transform unauthorised work into regular employment and combat the grey economy (Integrated guideline No 20).

Promote and increase flexibility combined with employment security and reduce labour market segmentation, promoting good industrial relations on the basis of independent and representative trade unions and improved information and consultation of workers through: the adaptation and streamlining of employment legislation, reviewing where necessary the level of flexibility and security provided by permanent and non-permanent contracts; better anticipation and positive management of change, including economic restructuring, notably changes linked to trade opening, so as to minimise their social costs and facilitate adaptation to new realit ...[+++]ies; support for transitions in occupational status, including training, self-employment, business creation and geographic mobility; the promotion and dissemination of innovative and adaptable forms of work organisation; effective measures to reduce workplace accidents by means of improved prevention of workplace risks, especially via agreements at European level, and diversity of contractual arrangements together with flexible working hours, with a view to improving quality of employment, productivity at work and the reconciliation of family life and work, adaptation to new technologies in the workplace, determined action to transform unauthorised work into regular employment and combat the grey economy (Integrated guideline No 20).

Particular attention should be paid, inter alia, to flexible working hours, part-time working, tele-working and sabbatical leave, as well as to the necessary financial and administrative provisions governing such arrangements.

(b) the quality of work, as determined by such factors as flexible working hours, training opportunities, job security, adequate social protection coverage.

The necessary removal of excessively stringent labour market rules and their replacement with greater flexibility will benefit not only undertakings, since they will be able to exploit these productivity gains, but also employees wanting to adjust the hours they work to their needs. More flexible working hours will also have a significant impact on employment, especially where wages are low.