In Switzerland, part-time work is gaining ground among men, but remains far from the norm. Their share has more than doubled since 2000, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Zurich and Indiana University. However, professional habits and social norms continue to hinder the shift to reduced working hours.
Progress that remains uneven
The proportion of employed men working part-time has increased from around 10% to over 20% since 2000. Across the OECD, the increase has been more modest: the average has risen from 8% to less than 13% over the same period, according to figures reported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
In 2025, 18% of working men in Switzerland were working part-time, compared to 60% of women, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Professional cultures influence choices
To study what facilitates or hinders men’s part-time work, sociologist Jan Müller of the University of Zurich and sociologist Youngjoo Cha of Indiana University analyzed data covering the period 2004-2020. Their work focuses on the preferences of men employed full-time and their potential transition to part-time work. ( suz.uzh.ch )
Researchers note that men are less inclined to consider or voluntarily choose a reduced work schedule in professions where the ideal of the employee fully dedicated to their work and the traditional role of breadwinner prevail. Conversely, transitions are more frequent in professions where work-life balance is more strongly supported.
The phenomenon is particularly noticeable among doctors, where the study observes an increase in men switching to part-time work. The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) points out, however, that only a minority of men are making the switch, despite the
A favorable Swiss context, but limitations to the study
Jan Müller believes that working conditions in Switzerland make reducing working hours attractive and sometimes more financially accessible than elsewhere. A full-time work week there represents nearly 42 hours, above the OECD average, while high salaries can make choosing reduced hours easier. According to the researcher, full-time contracts are just as secure as part-time ones.
The Swiss model, however, remains different from that of the Scandinavian countries, where the social structure makes it easier for both parents to work part-time. In Switzerland, women have long been the primary beneficiaries, although men are increasingly beginning to reduce their working hours.
The study has limitations: it focuses on men who initially held full-time jobs and only covers the years for which the data were deemed sufficiently reliable. It therefore does not describe the situation of underemployed or unemployed men.
Source: Switzerland – Blick: Important news and analysis, in Switzerland and around the world (www.blick.ch)
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