The managerial prerogative and the employee's duty to work: a comparative study of functional flexibility in working life

Abstract

This paper presents a discussion of the general reasons for conducting comparative research, the need for a socio-legal functional approach and the motives for subjecting Swedish, English and German labour law to study. Anna Christensen's theory of the normative field of law is discussed and applied to the field of comparative labour law research. The focus of the research is the legal regulation of the managerial prerogative ( especially the employer's right to direct and allocate work) in the light of the increasing trend towards greater flexibility in employment.