Only one out of ten men in Switzerland who want to work part-time actually manage to reduce their working hours, despite favorable financial conditions and strong legal protections for employees. A new study reveals a persistent gap between ambition and reality for male workers across the country, even as the proportion of men working reduced schedules has grown over the past two decades.
Study Findings on the Swiss Part-Time Labor Gap
The research was overseen by Jan Müller, a sociologist at the University of Zurich, in collaboration with Professor Youngjoo Cha from Indiana University in the United States. Researchers synthesized data covering nearly sixteen years, from 2004 to 2020. The findings show that each year, roughly 10% of full-time working men express a desire to transition to a reduced schedule. Among that group, only one in ten successfully makes the shift.
Despite this conversion hurdle, Switzerland maintains a high proportion of men working reduced hours overall. Long-term figures indicate that the share of men occupying such positions grew from 10% to 20% between the year 2000 and the time of the study. Meanwhile, data from the Federal Statistical Office shows that 40% of all working individuals in Switzerland currently hold part-time jobs, with women making up 60% of that total. This places Switzerland second in the OECD rankings, trailing only the Netherlands.
Did You Know?
Data compiled for the study demonstrates that the trend toward reduced working hours occurs primarily among salaried employees who already worked 100% schedules and held favorable socio-economic positions.
Industry Culture and the Male Breadwinner Model
The study points to workplace culture as a primary barrier preventing men from cutting their hours. In industries where the traditional male breadwinner model dominates and career progression takes precedence over personal time, men rarely transition to part-time roles. Conversely, sectors that actively support a balance between professional and personal commitments see an increase in male part-time workers.
An unexpected shift has occurred within the medical profession. Despite being known for long shifts and extensive overtime, the sector has seen a growing number of men working reduced hours. Sociologist Jan Müller expressed surprise at this trend, noting it might be connected to the rising proportion of female professionals entering the field. Workers in traditional branches, however, continue to switch to reduced schedules far less frequently.
Expert Insight:
While holding a part-time position does not automatically outperform a standard 100% schedule, researchers emphasize that having the genuine ability to choose reduces workplace stress and supports broader social equality. Sociologist Jan Müller contrasts the Swiss approach with Scandinavian nations, where societal frameworks allow both parents to work full-time, whereas Switzerland continues down a path where women predominantly work part-time while an increasing share of men adopt reduced hours.
Low success rate for Swiss men seeking part-time work
What proportion of men in Switzerland successfully reduce their working hours?
Only one out of ten men who wish to move to a part-time schedule actually succeed in reducing their activity rate.
Who conducted the research on Swiss working patterns?
The study was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, led by sociologist Jan Müller from the University of Zurich, and conducted in collaboration with Professor Youngjoo Cha from Indiana University.
How does Switzerland rank internationally for part-time employment?
Switzerland ranks second in the OECD for overall part-time work, positioned immediately behind the Netherlands, with women accounting for 60% of the country’s part-time workforce.
How do expectations around career progression in your own workplace influence decisions regarding work-life balance?
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