Deeltijden

Deeltijden is a Dutch term for employment with fewer working hours than a standard full-time job. A person who works part-time is often described by a fractional full-time equivalent (FTE), such as 0.6 FTE or 24 hours per week. Deeltijden can take fixed schedules or involve job sharing, where two or more employees cover the same full-time position.

Etymology: deel means part and tijd means time. In the Netherlands, deeltijd employment is a common feature of the labor market and is central to balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.

Forms and scheduling: Part-time arrangements range from fixed hours to flexible patterns, and job sharing is a common model. Scheduling can be regular or subject to change based on organizational needs.

Motivation and social context: People choose deeltijd work for personal preference or caregiving duties; it has historically been more common among women, though men increasingly take part-time roles as well. The arrangement can influence household time, income distribution, and career paths.

Rights and compensation: Part-time workers generally have the same legal protections as full-time workers, but many benefits and pension accrual are prorated to hours worked unless agreements specify otherwise. Collective labor agreements can set additional terms on scheduling, conversion from temporary to permanent contracts, and opportunities for training.

Economic considerations: Part-time work offers flexibility and work-life balance but can affect earnings and career progression. Policy discussions often focus on fair progression and access to full-time opportunities when desired.

See also: part-time work, job sharing, work-life balance.