The intensification of work in Europe: A multilevel analysis

Using the most recent two waves of the European Working Conditions Survey (2010 and 2015) in a multilevel setting, the paper argues that national institutions have a significant effect on shifts in work intensity. We find that work has intensified in the aftermath of the economic crisis, but that intensification is restricted by labour market regulation and collective bargaining institutions. However, the effect of working time regulations varies across employment groups, with intensity levels for temporary agency workers increasing as regulations become more stringent. Furthermore, higher levels of unemployment intensify work for agency workers but not for workers on a fixed-term contract relative to workers on a permanent contract.