Conference: Working-Time Reduction: A Path for a Gender Equal and Sustainable Society?

Place: Stockholm, House of People, Barnhusgatan 12-14, Stockholm

Date: Wednesday, 4 November 2026, 9.00-16.30 

The conference is a closed event. If you would like to attend, please email Meike Büscher at Meike.Buescher@fes.de to check availability.

The reduction of working time is currently being debated in many countries, especially in the context of gender equality, a sustainable working life and the unequal distribution of care work. In addition to numerous studies and pilot projects, Iceland's comprehensive reduction in working hours in the public sector a few years ago attracted worldwide attention. In Germany, the federal government, on the contrary, promotes a counter model with longer and more flexible working hours, while in Sweden the discussion goes beyond mere shortening: the largest trade union confederation LO has made a reduction of working time with full wage compensation a priority for the upcoming collective bargaining round in the autumn.

These divergent developments across European countries inspire us to foster international exchange on topics such as time justice, gender equality and sustainable, socially just working practices. They also raise further questions about time sovereignty and time wealth.

Our conference will therefore bring together international experts from politics, academia, trade unions and civil society in the Nordic countries and beyond.

Contact person: Meike Büscher