Healthcare workers on fewer hours are the most likely to work more

The research looked at whether workers in the sector increased or reduced their working hours by two hours or more between 2021 and 2023. The number of weekly hours worked by an individual worker in all jobs in the healthcare and well-being sector was considered. Weekly working hours were calculated using the number of contracted working hours (i.e. excluding overtime) in all the jobs held by a specific worker (i.e. including any jobs outside the sector).

The majority (50.9 percent) of workers were working the same number of hours in the sector at the end of the two-year period. However, 16.2 percent of workers were working more hours in the sector, and 13.8 percent were working fewer hours. The remaining 19.1 percent of workers had stopped working in the sector. This group may have stopped working altogether, may have moved to a job outside the healthcare and well-being sector, or may still have been working in the sector but have switched to self-employment or agency work.

Workers tend to adjust their working hours towards 24-28 hours per week

Most workers worked the same number of hours in Q4 of 2023 as they did in Q4 of 2021. Those working between 20 and 36 hours per week were the most likely to continue working the same number of hours in the sector during the period studied. The fewer hours worked, the more likely workers were to increase the number of hours they were working in the sector over the two-year period. Conversely, the more hours worked, the more likely they were to reduce their working hours in the sector during the same period.

Among those working fewer hours, younger workers most likely to increase their working hours

Among those working the fewest hours per week (less than 20 hours), age is a relevant factor: the younger workers are, the more likely they are to increase their working hours. Among those aged 55 and over, the number of workers who increased their hours was much lower: only 14 percent.

For those working between 20 and 32 hours per week, the share who increased their working hours was also higher among workers younger than 25 (29 percent) and lower among workers aged 55 and older (9 percent). The share of workers who actually reduced their working hours was very similar across all age groups (16-21 percent).

Among those working 32 hours per week or more, the pattern was different: many of these workers reduced their working hours, and this was true across all age groups. This was the most common in the age groups of under 25 years and 25-34 years (33 and 32 percent, respectively). This may be related to the fact that at this stage of life people are more likely to have children and a working week of 32 hours or more may be difficult to combine with caring for young children.