This diploma thesis aims to examine possible effects of shorter working hours on public administration employees. Our research work was mostly focused on possible effects related to the employee satisfaction indicators such as: lower levels of stress, free time, time spent with one's family or friends, time for hobbies, and some others. We decided to explore this theme for two reasons: firstly, because it represents a rather topical issue (also on account of the current situation associated with the COVID-19 epidemic) and secondly, since, at least for the time being, no research has yet been carried out in Slovenia which would examine the possible effects of shorter working hours on public administration employees.
Our research, which gives an insight into some possible effects of introducing shorter working hours on public administration employees, has established that a six-hour workday or a four-day workweek would definitely bring positive results, provided that employees also receive the same salary. Public administration employees participating in the survey expressed their preference for a four-day workweek over a six-hour workday. Most of them were also in favour of a flexible way of working, whereby they would work two days a week from home and three days in the office, provided that they have a six-hour workday and maintain the same salary as they are currently receiving.
The results of the present thesis may prove to be useful for various entities (government, trade unions, public administration employees, and others) and they shall enable them to consider the advantages and disadvantages of introducing shorter working hours in the public administration system and to examine the resulting labour law amendments. In any case, we need to be aware of the fact that this study only represents the beginning of the research aiming to explore potential effects of shorter working hours on public administration employees, and it also represents a possible introduction of changes related to this organisational, legal, economic, and sociological subject matter as well as the beginning of all other alterations in these areas.
|