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49% of employees in Luxembourg (along with those in Denmark and the Netherlands) could decide on their working time, either fully on their own or within employer guidelines, in 2019.

According to Eurostat, the EU statistics agency, that was behind only Sweden (65%) and Finland (70%). The EU average was 39%.

“Workers with the least influence over their working time” were observed in Bulgaria (20%), Lithuania and Hungary (both 21%), Cyprus and Croatia (both 26%), and Latvia (27%).

Adapting working time

Luxembourg had the highest proportion of employees in the EU who adapted their working time at least once a week due to unforeseen demands at work in 2019: 37%.

The grand duchy was followed by Finland (31%), France, Austria and Slovenia (all 27%), and Italy (26%). The EU average was 21%. The lowest rate of workers shifting their schedules on a weekly basis were found in Spain (13%), Slovakia (11%), Lithuania and Hungary (both 9%), and Bulgaria (8%).

Time off at short notice

People working in Luxembourg were also more likely to be able to take one or two hours off at short notice: three out of four said it would be fairly easy or very easy.

The grand duchy trailed behind Sweden (84%), Denmark (83%), the Netherlands (82%), Finland (81%) and Estonia (78%). The EU average was 67%. The lowest rates were reported in Bulgaria (40%).

Contacted during leisure time

On the other hand, Luxembourg employees were frequently contacted outside of their normal working hours with immediate requests: 14% said it happened “several times” in 2019 (the same rate noted in Portugal).

The proportion of staff were repeatedly contacted by bosses “during their leisure time and who had to undertake action before the next working day” was highest in Finland (23%), the Netherlands (18%) and Sweden (16%). The EU average was 10%. The lowest rates were recorded in Cyprus (6%), the Czech Republic (5%), and Romania and Lithuania (both 3%).