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Study of Executives and Senior Managers Working Reduced Hours

Very little research has focused upon the careers of male and female executives and senior managers who work on a reduced hours basis and how they successfully navigate their careers while working reduced hours.

In addition, the transformation of how we live and work this year has prompted many employers and workers to rethink their traditional working week.

Moon Executive Search have joined forces with Professor Sue Durbin and Stella Warren (University of the West of England) and Professor Jennifer Tomlinson (University of Leeds) to reach out to our contacts who are working reduced hours to help with the study that is funded by the British Academy/Leverhulme Trust.

‘We are working alongside Moon Executive Search to explore the experiences of male and female executives and senior managers working reduced hours, about which there is very little research. With the rise of the use of flexible working and a drive for more inclusive workplace cultures, we are interested in the prospects for sustaining reduced hours careers at a senior level. The current pandemic situation also means that more workplaces may place employees and managers on reduced hours and some may opt to work reduced hours voluntarily.’

Professor Sue Durbin


Vanessa Moon, Founding Director said; ‘We welcome the collaboration between UWE and the University of Leeds. This research is important to understand if there are changes in working patterns, especially after the transformation to the working world during this year.‘

So far, the project team has been working with Bristol Women in Business Group, Teach First, Fair Play South West who have given access to interviewees.

If you work reduced hours as a senior executive/manager, and are interested in volunteering then please contact Stella Warren if you would like to be involved, indicating your availability to take part in an online interview, between now and the end of 2020.