Part-time employment is becoming increasingly commonplace, necessitating new attitudes and better treatment from employers, unions, and in legislation. Three new types of part-time work are emerging: job sharing, phased retirement (gradual reduction of working hours), and paid leave. (SK)

In the Federal Republic of Germany, as elsewhere, the recent unemployment crisis has forced politicians, economists, trade unionists, and experts to consider a number of courses of action designed to reduce working time. Included among these alternatives are the following: adopting the 35-hour work week, shortening working life through early…