New Working Time Arrangements, Health and Well-being

Abstract

The increasing demand for more effective work procedures also affects work such that the entire 24h window is exploited for work and the work pattern ceases to be stable and predictable and instead becomes directly tailored to short term variation in production/service demand (termed “flexible ”). This results in increased night work, increased duration of shifts (often demanded by employees) and work hour fragmentation. We seem to know that night work and long hours are negative factors for health. However, summarizing a number of studies we find a need for reinterpretation. Thus, permanent night work may often be more acceptable than rotating hours, particularly if the night shift ends early. Long work shifts (12h) seemed to be preferable to normal (8h) ones, at least as long as not more than 2–3 shifts are worked in a row before rest and sleep was not interfered with. Furthermore, the ability to chose one’s shift schedule has strong positive effects. And, finally, reduced work hours with full pay has profound effects on social functioning, but very limited effects on health. The results suggest that influence on schedules and provisions for rest may improve most work schedules.