Lifestyle or precariat? History of part-time work

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Part-time work is trending. Work less and still live well, who doesn’t want that? In addition, part-time work is considered a guarantee of compatibility between work and family. Does this mean that everything is in order in the zones of prosperity and well-being of Europe? Appearances are deceptive. Everywhere they say that part-time work threatens the economy. But what about employees?

In ancient times, work was often slave labor. It was necessary to work on a call, exclusively for the owner – as it is said in the Bible. But Roman law made an exception: domestic slaves, who were jointly owned by two masters, had to serve both one master and another. Part-time work was an effective management of the “human good”—it meant more work, not less.

Part-time work as we know it today is the result of a radical change in the 19th century: work became paid work. Hired workers are now cramped in the factory to ensure their survival. The new economic order required flexibility: if there was a lot of work, temporary workers were hired for a few days or weeks; if things went badly, they were fired again. But only Sunday rest brought part-time work at the beginning of the 20th century: regular workers now had a day off, but not all companies could close on Sundays. Temporary part-time workers served public transport, electricity and gas on the weekend.

Women also worked part-time, especially in sales. Since most of the sales were during the daytime, department stores hired young “Misses” as part-timers. On the other hand, married women were frowned upon. If possible, the man was the sole breadwinner. At the bank counter, wives were considered dubious, hairdressers over 25 years old were not taken at all – and marriage was a reason for termination.

The situation changed after World War II: the economy was booming and workers had to be found, but women had to remain housewives and mothers. Part-time work was a win-win solution for business and husbands. “With us, you can stand on the assembly line in your Sunday dress,” Siemens lured. What about the women themselves? There was nothing but “making money” and almost no social security. At the height of the growth of prosperity, the economic distress of wives was established.

So part-time work is actually a prosperity phenomenon. But different than expected. Because more free time, better work-life balance or “Papitag” is the privilege of the few who can afford it. However, part-time work is not a lifestyle for the masses. But the harsh reality of precarious work is low wages, little social security and the risk of poverty in old age.

Britta-Marie Schenck is a professor at the University of Lucerne who studies modern history. Historian Daniel Allemann is a specialist in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in Lucerne. Together they link historical events to the current time.

Source: Blick