08/12/2025 - Brussels
The Belgian Federal Science Policy Office has supported a research project entitled "The Belgian Short-time Work scheme: Economic and Psychological impacts (BESWEP)", as part of its research programme BRAIN-be 2.0.
This project was coordinated by Professor Muriel Dejemeppe (UCLouvain),
Bart Cockx (UGent),
Nele De Cuyper (KU Leuven),
Hans De Witte (KU Leuven),
Florence Stinglhamber (UCLouvain),
Natalia Bermudez (UCLouvain & UGent),
Charlotte Rodriguez (KU Leuven & UCLouvain),
Giulia Tarullo (UCLouvain & UGent).
The short-time work (STW) scheme allows firms facing a temporary decline in business activity to reduce employees’ working hours while providing partial income replacement. It has been crucial in preserving jobs during major crises in Belgium, such as the 2008 financial downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, its broad and prolonged use raises economic and social questions. How can the system better target firms genuinely affected by shocks while avoiding costly support for jobs not truly at risk? Should companies be made more financially accountable for frequent or excessive use, in ways that strengthen both economic efficiency and workers’ well-being?
Beyond targeting and incentives, how can reforms protect workers’ well-being, reduce stress linked to short-time work, and support training and career development? By showing how efficient use of resources and psychological protection are interconnected, the BESWEP project highlights pathways toward a system that benefits both firms and employees.
The aim of this study morning is to present and discuss the results of this collective work.
8:45 - 9:15 Welcome coffee
9:15 - 9:30 Opening & Introduction - Belgian Science Policy
9:30 - 10:05 Presentation of findings by the team of economists
10:05 - 10:40 Presentation of findings by the team of psychologists
10:40 - 11:10 Coffee break
11:10 - 11:30 Reaction by Prof. Pierre Cahuc (Sciences Po, Paris)
11:45 - 12:00 Reaction by Prof. Tinne Vander Elst (IDEWE, Tilburg University)
12:00 - 12:15 Reaction by David Rozenblum & Marie-Noëlle Vanderhoven (FEB)
12:15 - 12:30 Reaction by Hugues Ghenne (FGTB)
12:30 - 12:55 Q&A with participants
12:55 - 13:00 Closing remarks
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
Participation (including coffee and lunch) is free of charge.
Please register before Tuesday, 25 November 2025:
To register please fill in this form
On 8 December 2025, a non-technical summary of the research findings will be published in two academic reviews:
