Work assignments (6)
I believe the answer is:
stints
'work assignments' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for stints that I've seen before include "Unbroken periods of work" , "Is niggardly, restricts to a small allowance" , "Spells" , "Allots sparingly" , "Allotted work periods" .)