BELSPO - Call for proposals: Evaluation of the effects of a collective reduction in working time

Research

What?

On 17 February 2023 the Council of Ministers has validated the Action Plan in execution of the measures adopted during the Employment Conference in 2021. One of these measures was the “collective reduction in working time and 4-day workweek” (find more here in NL and FR).

Whilst a state of play has been realised by the Federal Planning Bureau, it is essential to complement this preliminary work by a scientifically sound evaluation of this measure in terms of employment, well-being, productivity and climate effects. This call for proposals aims to select the team that can best provide this evaluation for the above-mentioned dimensions.

To fill the scientific gap and provide the government with a clearer view on the utility and adequacy of federal support to RWT, the FPB proposes to work closely with a scientific team to organise an experiment linked to a survey. The idea is to follow up a sample of companies that are willing to voluntarily reduce working time on a weekly basis for a period of 6 months. The selected scientific team will assist the FPB in sourcing firms, selecting the sample, and defining measurements in terms of employment, well-being, productivity and climate effects (before, during and after).

Maximum budget is 75.000€.
Duration of the project is within a limit of 24 months.
Official starting date is 15 December 2023.
  

Who?

The team should be familiar with statistical methods and be acquainted with working conditions and arrangements within companies, particularly because companies willing to embark on RWT will need to adapt their work organisation. The team should also have proven knowledge in measuring employee wellbeing and how it may vary across company size, sector…

To be eligible, a research proposal must be submitted by an applicant belonging to a non-profit organisation that has the pursuit of scientific research in its statutes: universities, higher education institutions, public research institutions…

Proposals can be submitted by a single institution (partner) or by a network of institutions (partners). A network is composed of at least two different eligible Belgian scientific institutions paid by the project. Networks will appoint a Coordinator.

The project may require specific or punctual expertise, which can be delivered through subcontracting. The subcontractor is not an official project partner.

The programme promotes equality between men and women in research.
  

Application?

Applicants need to fill in an application form, which can be found on the BELSPO BRAIN-be 2.0 website.

They need to send it in word and PDF via email to brain-be@belspo.be by 23 October 2023, 14u
  

More information?

The call information file and other important call documents can be found on the BELSPO BRAIN-be 2.0 website.

Deadline intern

19.10.2023, 23.10.2023

Contact Hasselt University?

E-mail sarah.szyr@uhasselt.be

Tel. +3211269052