The impact of atypical working hours on fertility intentions across Europe

Relationship between fertility and female employment has been widely recognized in demographic literature. Also, the impact of atypical working hours, i.e. work involving long and overtime work hours and working at weekends, on work-family conflict has been the subject of several studies. However, research linking such working conditions to fertility behaviour remains scarce. The aim of this study is to explore whether atypical working hours affects women’s childbearing behaviour. The research focus is on fertility intentions within the next three years, which are assumed to be a valid predictor of subsequent reproductive behaviour. Data are used from the fifth round of the European Social Survey. Sample is restricted to women aged 18 to 45 living with a partner/husband. Control variables include age, number of children living in the household and years of full-time education. Preliminary results show a statistically significant impact of atypical working hours on childbearing intentions indicating that women who work evenings/nights and during weekends are more likely not to intend a(nother) child within the given time period. Furthermore, institutional and national specific factors such as childcare provision and parental leave may influence the ability to combine family with professional life.