Unequal electoral participation: the negative effects of long work hours and unsociable work schedules in Europe

Considering gender inequality in time as a resource for political participation and using Wave 5 of the European Social Survey data on 24 European countries, this study examines: (1) the relationship of both long working hours and unsociable work schedules to participation in national elections in Europe before or during 2010; (2) factors that may mediate this association; and (3) gender differences in this relationship and occupation-specific patterns.

Citation:
Li J, Giebler H, Wetter R, Kenyon Lair H, Ellingwood J. Unequal electoral participation: the negative effects of long work hours and unsociable work schedules in Europe. Eur J Pol Gender. 2023;6(1):92-113.

Keywords:
Electoral participation; Europe; gender; long work hours; occupational status; unsociable work schedules

Abstract:
Considering gender inequality in time as a resource for political participation and using Wave 5 of the European Social Survey data on 24 European countries, this study examines: (1) the relationship of both long working hours and unsociable work schedules to participation in national elections in Europe before or during 2010; (2) factors that may mediate this association; and (3) gender differences in this relationship and occupation-specific patterns.