In the shadow of the clock : working time in the Irish software sector

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with working time in the software sector in Ireland. It examines its nature and the way in which it is organised. Twenty-two people were interviewed over the course of a year about various aspects of their working experience. These participants were from a variety of software companies. They represented both male and female employees, and both developers and non-developers. They filled in time diaries in which they noted their starting and finishing times and details about the breaks they took. These were completed for periods of one week, at five points in the year (October 1999/September 2000). The data from these diaries was analysed using SPSS. The participants also completed time diaries in which they noted what they were doing at half hour intervals for a 24 hour period. These were also completed five times in the year. These diaries were used to inform the interviews (which took place at three times in the year). The data from the interviews was analysed with the help of Nudist.