1. 1 Joint ECE/Eurostat/ILO Seminar on the Quality of Work Geneva 11-13 May 2005 Topic 1: Conceptual frameworks and dimensions of quality of work Conceptual Relationship Between Quality of Work and Working Time Statistics

2. 2 Conceptual Frameworks There is no one single measure of quality of work / decent work concepts – current view is generally against a composite indicator Both concepts have been defined in terms of a number of dimensions by EC and ILO Range of dimensions differ but there is some overlap and similarity Also overlap with dimensions related to current work of Paris Group on working time measurement

3. 3 Conceptual Frameworks Three concepts have a different emphasis / purpose No real need for them to be identical Overlaps should be consistent Working time Working time Decent work Quality of work

4. 4 Brief Digression – History of Paris Group Is one of a number of city groups set up under the auspices of the UN – created in 1997 Comprises national agencies and international organisations working informally to exchange views, practices, develop guidelines and recommendations on specific issues of statistical methodology Emphasises involvement of all participants

5. 5 Work on working time measurement Recommendations from Group cover: oHours actually worked oDefinition of annual hours oWorking time arrangements To be used as input to a document about issues and proposals for revision of 1962 Resolution on statistics of hours of work Document to be discussed at tripartite meeting of experts organised by ILO Input to 18 th ICLS tentatively scheduled for 2008

6. 6 Imperatives for more internationally comparable statistics on working time measurement oLabour input measures in the compilation of national accounts and for the compilation of comparable measures of productivity oGrowing policy interest in working arrangements and promotion of a work-life balance – significant change in work patterns in most (western) countries

7. 7 Opportunity Revision of 1993 SNA Revision of 1962 ICLS Resolution International guidelines on working time measurement

8. 8 Opportunity Revision of 1993 SNA Revision of 1962 ICLS Resolution International guidelines on working time measurement

9. 9 Paris Group Output National Accountants Labour force statisticians Conceptual framework Measuring hours actually worked Annual hours Working time arrangements Conceptual framework Measuring hours actually worked Annual hours Working time arrangements

10. 10 Working time framework Core elements/dimensions Number of hours – length of time spent on work activities Variability (stability) of those hours on weekly, monthly, annual timescales When those hours are worked (scheduling) – whether worked outside “standard” hours Supplementary variables Duration of arrangement Contractual situation – existence of formal contract Worker control in setting time patterns Predictability of arrangement over week, month, year Location of employment e.g. at home

11. 11 Linkage of Conceptual Frameworks – Future work Reinforce linkages Use of common terminology and definitions where overlap exists Working time Working time Decent work Quality of work