Abstract
BackgroundThe negative effects of shift work schedules, specifically night and rotating shifts, have been widely reported. However, little is understood whether particular aspects of the organisational environment, related to specific shifts, may influence the negative impact of shift work. This study investigated the variation in organisational climate and health outcomes across shift work schedules (day, night, rotating).MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved nursing staff (n = 108) who were all registered nurses from two Melbourne health services. There were slightly more nursing staff that participated from one health service (n = 56) than the other health service (n = 52). Nursing staff completed a survey on either paper form or online which comprised of: demographic characteristics, organisational climate (work environment scale) and health outcomes (general health questionnaire).ResultsThe study found that organisational climate factors and health outcomes differed across shift types. Rotating shift staff exhibited significantly higher coworker cohesion scores when compared to night staff. Night staff reported significantly greater levels of physical comfort within their work environment than rotating staff. Overall, supervisor support emerged as a significant predictor of health outcomes such as somatic complaints, social dysfunction and overall distress. Task orientation was also shown to significantly predict levels of social dysfunction.ConclusionsFindings suggest that interventions with a focus on enhancing the organisational climate, focused in increasing supervisor support, may mitigate the potential negative health outcomes experienced by shift workers.Trial registrationNot applicable to this study.
Highlights
The negative effects of shift work schedules, night and rotating shifts, have been widely reported
Health outcomes by shift type The results show that shift types differed in their mean scores on each of the health outcomes and organisational climate
Shift-related differences in nurse health outcomes The results revealed that scores on each of the health indices varied across shift types
Summary
The negative effects of shift work schedules, night and rotating shifts, have been widely reported. Shift work-scheduled rosters are common in various industries in Australia [1] Rosters such as rotating and night shifts have been linked to negative psychological and physical outcomes [2, 3]. Various studies have demonstrated a link between organisational climate and individual variables such as job satisfaction [13, 14], burnout [15], work performance [16], and job-related stress [14] All of these factors can directly or indirectly affect employee health and wellbeing [11].
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