How do differing degrees of working-time autonomy and overtime affect worker well-being? A multilevel approach using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP)

Abstract

Flextime, or Flexitime, leads to greater worker satisfaction and well-being, but evidence shows increased working-time autonomy also leads to a greater risk of burnout and overload. The aim of this study is to estimate the effects of working-time arrangements with differing levels of autonomy on job and leisure satisfaction as well as subjective health. It uses working excessive hours as the threshold moderator. Based on German data, hypotheses were tested using a balanced sample of 4019 individuals spanning 16,076 person-years. Changing to or remaining in autonomous working-time arrangements had a positive effect on job satisfaction. Advancing to self-managed working time (trust-based working time) had a negative effect on satisfaction with leisure time, although remaining in self-managed working time related positively to general health. This study shows that measures are needed to govern working-time autonomy in order to prevent employees excessively extending their working hours.