Health and psychosocial effects of flexible working hours

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine whether any impairments in health and social lives can be found under different kinds of flexible working hours, and whether such effects are related to specific characteristics of these working hours. Methods Two studies -a company based survey (N=660) and an internet survey (N=528) -have been conducted. The first one was a questionnaire study (paper and pencil) on employees working under some 'typical' kinds of different flexible working time arrangements in different companies and different occupational fields (health care, manufacturing, retail, administration, call centres). The second study was an internetbased survey, using an adaptation of the questionnaire from the first study. ResultsThe results of both studies consistently show that high variability of working hours is associated with increased impairments in health and well-being and this is especially true if this variability is company controlled. These effects are less pronounced if variability is self-controlled; however, autonomy does not compensate the effects of variability. ConclusionsRecommendations for an appropriate design of flexible working hours should be developed in order to minimize any impairing effects on health and psychosocial wellbeing; these recommendations should include -besides allowing for discretion in controlling one's (flexible) working hours -that variability in flexible working hours should be kept low (or at least moderate), even if this variability is self-controlled. Resumo Objetivo Investigar se ocorre prejuízo à saúde e à vida social com diferentes tipos de horas de trabalho flexíveis e se há relação entre estes efeitos e características específicas das horas de trabalho. Métodos Foram realizados dois estudos, uma pesquisa em uma empresa (N=660) e outra pela Internet (N=528). O primeiro estudo consistiu de um questionário (papel e lápis) aplicado a funcionários sujeitos a diferentes ajustes "típicos" de horas de

Time dimensions of job autonomy in R&D work

“…Similar associations have been found in other studies, e.g. Janssen and Nachreiner (2004) and Moen et al (2011). The findings of Kauffeld et al (2004) suggest that allowing flexitime leads to positive effects on the personal development and learning opportunities of employees.…”

Working time arrangements and social consequences – What do we know?

“…They found increased impairments in health and social well-being associated with high variability and a lack of influence over one's working hours. Influence over working hours were consistently associated with less impairment, but did not compensate for the negative effect of variability (Janssen et al, 2004).…”

“…Influence over working hours was consistently associated with less impairment, but did not compensate for the effect of variability (Janssen & Nachreiner, 2004).…”

Sleep, Sleepiness and Health Complaints in Police Officers: The Effects of a Flexible Shift System

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