Extended Work Hours Research Articles

Work-life dynamics: Comparing time use of employees and self-employed individuals in Slovakia

This study aims to investigate the differences in work-life dynamics and time allocation between employees and self-employed individuals in Slovakia, focusing specifically on the balance between paid work, unpaid work, leisure activities, and other non-productive activities. Using detailed survey methodology, this research examines the time use patterns of 632 private sector employees and 116 self-employed individuals, segmented by gender and age groups. The findings reveal distinct differences in time allocation, such as male self-employed individuals spending less time on paid work during work-days but more during days-off compared to their employed counterparts. Female self-employed individuals also exhibit similar patterns, indicating a compensation mechanism for the dual burden of professional and household responsibilities. The study highlights the greater flexibility enjoyed by self-employed individuals, which, while beneficial for balancing personal and work life, often leads to extended working hours and blurred boundaries. Gender disparities in unpaid work persist, with women, particularly the self-employed, shouldering more household responsibilities. The research underscores the need for organizational policies supporting self-employed individuals, including enhanced access to social security and health benefits, and measures aimed at addressing gender disparities in unpaid work. These findings contribute to the literature on work-life balance, organizational behavior, and policy development, offering a foundation for future research.

Biomedical laboratory scientists and technicians in digital pathology - Is there a need for professional development?

Digital pathology (DP) is moving into Danish pathology departments at high pace. Conventionally, biomedical laboratory scientists (BLS) and technicians have prepared tissue sections for light microscopy, but workflow alterations are required for the new digital era with whole slide imaging (WSI); digitally assisted image analysis (DAIA) and artificial intelligence (AI). We aim to explore the role of BLS in DP and assess a potential need for professional development. We investigated the roles of BLS in the new digital era through qualitative interviews at Danish Pathology Departments in 2019/2020 before DP implementation (supported by a questionnaire); and in 2022 after DP implementation. Additionally, senior lecturers from three Danish University Colleges reported on how DP was integrated into the 2023 bachelor's degree educational curricula for BLS students. At some Danish pathology departments, BLS were involved in the implementation process of DP and their greatest concerns were lack of physical laboratory requirements (69%) and implementation strategies (63%). BLS were generally positive towards working with DP, however, some expressed concern about extended working hours for scanning. Work-task transfers from pathologists were generally greeted positively from both management and pathologists; however, at follow-up interviews after DP implementation, job transfers had not been effectuated. At Danish university colleges, DP had been integrated systematically in the curricula for BLS students, especially WSI. Involving BLS in DP implementation and development may benefit the process, as BLS have a hands-on workflow perspective with a focus on quality assurance. Several new work opportunities for BLS may occur with DP including WSI, DAIA and AI, and therefore new qualifications are warranted, which must be considered in future undergraduate programmes for BLS students or postgraduate programmes for BLS.

An Applicable Way for Fresh Undergraduate Graduates to Fight the Employment Dilemma: Examining the Job Predicament Encountered by Students Majoring in Humanities in China

The evolution of the market system in China has had a significant impact on the career prospects of graduates, leading to a shift in the composition of the talent pool. To comprehensively elucidate and evaluate the predicament encountered by graduates in the labor market, it is essential for researchers to consider educational background as the fundamental basis for conducting such investigations. The Chinese population has been subject to the impact of many social ideals disseminated via numerous means, such as social media, parental guidance, and interactions with their immediate family members. The presence of certain social ideals and societal issues further intensifies the challenges experienced by a particular subset of individuals, namely humanities graduates. This study centers on the predicament faced by students majoring in the humanities and the educational department. It has been observed that students pursuing humanities disciplines have had challenges in securing employment opportunities. In response, institutions have implemented multidisciplinary approaches to address these issues. However, the outcomes of these efforts have not yielded the anticipated level of effectiveness. When humanities students engage in the process of job application, they often confront challenges such as comparatively lower remuneration, extended work hours, and a heavier workload in comparison to their counterparts. This paper highlights several challenges, including the increasing prevalence of science and engineering fields, the downsizing of technical positions in major corporations, and the emergence of new opportunities in the humanities. It emphasizes the importance for society, parents, and prospective college students to make informed decisions when selecting their desired academic disciplines.

Occupancy-based one-year-ahead heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning electricity consumption optimization using machine learning

The world is increasingly urbanized. While, more than a half of its population lives in big cities, buildings are responsible for nearly the 40 % of the global annual energy consumption. Recent advances in smart grids and the high penetration of renewable energy sources have increased the need for long-term buildings' electricity consumption prediction to support operational decision making, demand response, and the installation of distributed generation systems. In addition, to meet international environmental goals, electric utilities usually offer financial incentives to reduce consumption levels. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems use the half of the buildings' energy to maintain users' comfort. In this scenario, predicting and optimizing their long-term electricity consumption without neglecting comfort conditions become vital to negotiate beneficious service-level agreements (SLAs) within the framework of demand-side management strategies. In this paper, we predict and optimize the one-year-ahead HVAC electricity consumption profile of a reference office building based on a machine learning approach. Although the occupants' number influences the HVAC electricity consumption, there has long been a lack of high-resolution, non-Boolean, long-term occupancy estimators. In this context, we first forecast the one-year-ahead occupants' number schedule and then use it, together with traditionally used historical weather data, to predict the one-year-ahead HVAC electricity consumption. The consumption profile is then optimized based on the estimated one-year-ahead occupants’ count schedule. The best results, obtained with a feedforward neural network, achieve 33 % annual electricity saving without neglecting summer cooling conditions in a hot zone like Miami, being efficient even in energetic-demanding scenarios such as extended working hours.

İş Ortamı ve Çalışan Refahının Bütünsel İncelemesi

This study delves into the intricate relationship between the work environment and employee well-being, with a focus on a chain hotel within the accommodation sector. The primary data collection method involved a meticulously designed questionnaire, formulated in a semi-structured manner to encourage participants to share their perspectives candidly. Our investigation encompassed a comprehensive employee base, totaling 3250 individuals within the chain hotel under scrutiny. Employing a sample calculation technique with a 95% confidence level and a 5 percent margin of error, we gathered insights from 344 participants, subsequently shaping our analysis. Analysis of the research findings unveils a prevailing sentiment among employees, wherein workplace stress exerts a predominantly negative influence. Evidently, a significant portion of respondents associates the work environment with an escalation of stress levels. A consensus emerges surrounding the nocturnal shift, with the majority attributing heightened stress to such work hours. Conversely, employees exhibit a degree of uncertainty regarding the correlation between extended work hours and stress. Notably, the burden of an elevated workload garners unanimous acknowledgment as a potent stress factor. These determinants intricately shape employee productivity, shedding light on areas where the company's efficacy might be enhanced. Intriguingly, the research indicates a pervasive concern among participants about their perceived ambiguity regarding managerial sentiments. This opacity perpetuates stress among employees, highlighting the significance of bolstering manager-employee communication to alleviate stress and foster heightened work commitment. By discerning stress-inducing factors and advocating for enhanced communication channels, organizations can bolster employee welfare, thereby fortifying their commitment to organizational objectives.

Optimization and prediction of CBN tool life sustainability during AA1100 CNC turning by response surface methodology

The aluminium alloy (AA1100) was familiar with automotive flexible shaft coupling applications due to its high strength, good machinability, and superior thermal and resistance to corrosion characteristics. Machining tool life drives the prominent role for deciding the product quality (machining) act aims to productivity target with zero interruptions. The novelty of this present investigation is the focus on increasing tool life during the complexity of CNC turning operation for AA1100 alloy by using CBN coated insert tool with varied input parameters of spindle speed (SS), feed rate (f), and depth of cut (DOC). Design of experiment (L16), analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical system adopted with response surface methodology (RSM) is implemented for experimental analysis. The turning input parameters of SS, f and DOC are considered as factors and its SS (900, 1100, 1300, and 1500 rpm), f (0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25), and DOC (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mm) values are treated as levels. The investigational analysis was made with the ANOVA technique and the desirability of high tool life with input turning parameters was optimized by RSM, and sample no 11/16 was predicted as high tool life and performed with extended working hours compared to other samples. The RSM optimized best turning parameter combinations are 0.1 mm DOC, 0.2mm/rev to 0.25mm/rev f, and 1300 rpm–1500 rpm SS, facilitating a higher tool life of more than 20min.

Effect of Long Extended Working Hours on the Occupational Health and Safety of Oil and Gas Workers in the Sultanate of Oman

Introduction: Oil and Gas workers are exposed to numerous hazards which impede their productivity; one such hazard these workers are exposed to is long or extended working hours. Hence, this paper examined the impacts of extended working hours on workers' occupational health and safety at a selected oil and gas company in Oman. Consequently, the workers’ opinions on the impacts of extended working hours at the company were critically analyzed to draw potential inferences and proffer solutions to the problem in Oman. The study aimed to critically identify, assess, and highlight the occupational safety problems associated with extended working hours among workers at a selected oil and gas company in Oman. Methods: A total of 128 respondents were randomly selected from the 140 employees and company managers through administered questionnaires. Data collection was done between January 25 and February 30, 2022. The questionnaire consisted of five items statements based on the four-agreement or Likert scale of measurement. Results: A response rate of 91% was derived from the questionnaire administered for the study. Results from data analysis indicated that 73% of the respondents were male while 27% were female. Furthermore, the results indicated that extended working hours have substantial impacts on family life (s=54%), performance (s=68%), productivity, and health of the workers. Extended working hours potentially expose workers to various dangers which bring about numerous adverse effects (stress, fatigue, depression, and loss of concentration) on their occupational health and safety. Conclusion: It is recommended that oil and gas companies establish occupational health and safety guidelines to limit the work times and duration (i.e., time spent at work) through shorter shifts, longer breaks, or extended leaves. Long working hours should be prohibited except on special occasions or unavoidable circumstances to safeguard the health and well-being of staff, which could ultimately enhance the productivity and output of the company.

Employee Performance and Work-Family Conflict A Study of the Education Sector in Pakistan

This paper examined the causes and effects of work-family conflict among female employees in the education sector in Pakistan, a society where traditional norms make it harder for women to balance their work and family roles. The paper collected primary data from female employees serving in the education sector of Pakistan. The paper found the extended working hours, job rigidity, work overload, child care duty, children’s age, dependent care duty, workplace discrimination, insufficient supervisory support, authoritarian management style, lack of family support, and husband’s absence as the main factors causing the work-family conflict. The study suggested the need for organizational policies and practices that can help reduce work-family conflict and improve the job satisfaction and performance of female employees.

Personality Development – A missing outcome competency that future Doctors will need

Personality Development – A missing outcome competency that future Doctors will need

From Neglect to Progress: Assessing Social Sustainability and Decent Work in the Tourism Sector

Measuring social sustainability performance involves assessing firms’ implementation of social goals, including working conditions, health and safety, employee relationships, diversity, human rights, community engagement, and philanthropy. The concept of social sustainability is closely linked to the notion of decent work, which emphasizes productive work opportunities with fair income, secure workplaces, personal development prospects, freedom of expression and association, and equal treatment for both genders. However, the tourism sector, known for its significant share of informal labor-intensive work, faces challenges that hinder the achievement of decent work, such as extended working hours, low wages, limited social protection, and gender discrimination. This study assesses the social sustainability of the Portuguese tourism industry. The study collected data from the “Quadros do Pessoal” statistical tables for the years 2010 to 2020 to analyze the performance of Portuguese firms in the tourism sector and compare them with one another and with the overall national performance. The study focused on indicators such as employment, wages, and work accidents. The findings reveal fluctuations in employment and remuneration within the tourism sector and high growth rates in the tourism sector compared to the national average. A persistent gender pay gap is identified, which emphasizes the need to address this issue within the tourism industry. Despite some limitations, such as the lack of comparable data on work quality globally, incomplete coverage of sustainability issues, and challenges in defining and measuring social sustainability indicators, the findings have implications for policy interventions to enhance social sustainability in the tourism industry. By prioritizing decent work, safe working conditions, and equitable pay practices, stakeholders can promote social sustainability, stakeholder relationships, and sustainable competitive advantage. Policymakers are urged to support these principles to ensure the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry and foster a more inclusive and equitable society. This study provides insights for Tourism Management, sustainable Human Resource Management, Development Studies, and organizational research, guiding industry stakeholders in promoting corporate social sustainability, firm survival, and economic growth.

Association between long working hours and mental health among nurses in China under COVID-19 pandemic: based on a large cross-sectional study

ObjectiveNurses were more likely to experience mental disorders due to long working hours and irregular schedules. However, studies addressing this issue are scarce; therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between long working hours and mental health in Chinese nurses during the coronavirus disease pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 2,811 nurses at a tertiary hospital in China from March to April 2022. We collected data on demographic, psychological characteristics, dietary habits, life, and work-related factors using a self-reported questionnaire and measured mental health using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7. Binary logistic regression to determine adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsThe effective response rates were 81.48%, 7.80% (219), and 6.70% (189) of the respondents who reported depression and anxiety, respectively. We categorized the weekly working hours by quartiles. Compared with the lowest quartile, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals across the quartiles for depression after adjustment were 0.98 (0.69, 1.40), 10.58 (2.78, 40.32), and 1.79 (0.81, 3.97) respectively, the P for trend was 0.002. The odds ratios across the quartiles for anxiety after adjustment were 0.87 (0.59, 1.30), 8.69 (2.13, 35.46), and 2.67 (1.26, 5.62), respectively, and the P for trend was 0.008.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that extended working hours increased the risk of mental disorders among nurses during the coronavirus disease pandemic, particularly in those who worked more than 60 h per week. These findings enrich the literature on mental disorders and demonstrate a critical need for additional studies investigating intervention strategies.

The multifaceted challenges of teaching from home: A study of schoolteachers' well‐being during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractThis study examined perceived needs, well‐being, work/nonwork conflict and demands, and coping mechanisms among government and private schoolteachers in India while working from home during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We employed a mixed method design, collecting 161 quantitative responses using questionnaires and 121 qualitative responses using open‐ended questions. These were analyzed using inferential statistics and thematic analysis, respectively. Results highlight the negative impact of work/nonwork conflict on well‐being. The missing work‐home boundaries resulted in extended work hours, unorganized routines, and simultaneous work/nonwork demands. We describe the multifaceted nature of operational, pedagogical, and technological challenges faced by schoolteachers. We suggest psychological and operational resources and support mechanisms that can be developed at the family, school administration, and policy levels. Further, customized bundles of solutions are needed to address the variability in the challenges faced.

COVID-19 and Psychosocial Well-Being: Did COVID-19 Worsen U.S. Frontline Healthcare Workers’ Burnout, Anxiety, and Depression?

Healthcare workers are highly regarded for their compassion, dedication, and composure. However, COVID-19 created unprecedented demands that rendered healthcare workers vulnerable to increased burnout, anxiety, and depression. This cross-sectional study assessed the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on U.S. healthcare frontliners using a 38-item online survey administered by Reaction Data between September and December 2020. The survey included five validated scales to assess self-reported burnout (Maslach Summative Burnout Scale), anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-2), resilience (Brief Resilience Coping Scale), and self-efficacy (New Self-Efficacy Scale-8). We used regression to assess the relationships between demographic variables and the psychosocial scales index scores and found that COVID-19 amplified preexisting burnout (54.8%), anxiety (138.5%), and depression (166.7%), and reduced resilience (5.70%) and self-efficacy (6.5%) among 557 respondents (52.6% male, 47.5% female). High patient volume, extended work hours, staff shortages, and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and resources fueled burnout, anxiety, and depression. Respondents were anxious about the indefinite duration of the pandemic/uncertain return to normal (54.8%), were anxious of infecting family (48.3%), and felt conflicted about protecting themselves versus fulfilling their duty to patients (44.3%). Respondents derived strength from their capacity to perform well in tough times (74.15%), emotional support from family/friends (67.2%), and time off work (62.8%). Strategies to promote emotional well-being and job satisfaction can focus on multilevel resilience, safety, and social connectedness.

An hour-ahead predictive control strategy for maximizing natural ventilation in passive buildings based on weather forecasting

Due to the increasing demands of energy conservation and emission reduction, passive buildings with extra-low energy consumption and near zero energy consumption have attracted more attentions as a promising sustainable building type. Due to passive techniques such as air-tightness, passive buildings have a special demand of mechanical fresh air systems after closing windows. So it is indispensable to explore elaborate control strategies for maximizing natural ventilation, for the purpose of postponing the use of fossil energy. By taking meteorological forecast parameters as the input, an hour-head model-based predictive control (MPC) strategy of natural ventilation was proposed in this paper. Specifically, simulated multi-dimensional datasets obtained by setting different control actions under the same disturbances were obtained as the database for data-driven prediction models, which take weather forecast parameters as the input and labels of thermal comfort levels and air volumes as the output. It has been verified that although both with extended working hours and more stable comfort levels, the MPC strategy with priority to thermal comfort is superior to that with priority to fresh air volume. Furthermore, when compared with the traditional control strategy, ventilation hours via this MPC strategy could be increased by 56.3% from 366 h to 572 h. With this MPC model, the self-adaptive adjustment of window openness could be achieved by taking hour-ahead weather forecasting parameters as the input, thus to facilitate the climatic self-adaptive intelligent operation of passive buildings in future.

CAREGIVING FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA DURING THE PANDEMIC: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a large impact on the roles and responsibilities of caregivers for older adults with dementia. An increasing number of studies have examined the unique challenges faced by caregivers during this time, including extended work hours, anxiety around contracting COVID-19, and adhering to public health guidelines. Informal caregivers may also face greater strain on their personal lives during lockdown. Objective: To conduct a scoping review to examine factors impacting well-being of caregivers of older adults with dementia during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: We conducted a PubMed search using the terms “COVID-19,” “older adults,” and “caregiving” or “caregiver.” Sixty-seven papers were identified published between June 2020 and December 2021. Results All papers identified were cross-sectional and conducted after the pandemic began and prior to the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Articles highlighted increasing burdens such as financial and physical stress, as well as worsened psychological wellbeing through increased anxiety and depression among caregivers during the pandemic. Additionally, themes of protective factors on wellbeing in the form of social connection and telehealth interventions emerged. Discussion: Limitations to our review include lack of longitudinal information on caregiver experience to better identify broad impacts on caregiver well-being. Studies not only identified new, pandemic-related risk factors for caregiver burden, but also a heightened effect of pre-existing risk factors (e.g. income, living situation, gender) on burden. Caregiver psychiatric outcomes reflect the overall population’s increase in mental illness since the start of the pandemic.

Parasomnias related to shift work disorder among medical residents during the first year of training in Mexico.

Shift work disorder (SWD) may affect medical residents because their workload, academic demands and extended work hours. This condition set residents at risk of more sleep disorders. The study compared parasomnias among residents with and without shift work disorder (SWD) and weighed their relative risk (RR) for each parasomnia. One hundred twenty-six residents participated in the study. The Munich Parasomnia Screening questionnaire and the Barger Questionnaire for SWD were used for the screening of parasomnias and SWD, respectively. Means and percentages of studied variables were compared between groups. Relative risk (RR) was calculated for each type of parasomnia. The more frequent parasomnias in residents with SWD the RR (and 95% confidence intervals) were: sleep terrors, 5.60 (1.84-17.01); confusional arousals, 3.73 (1.84-7.56); sleep paralysis, 3.27 (1.53-6.93); hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations, 2.55 (1.03-6.28); somniloquies, 2.45 (1.21-4.92); and nightmares, 2.01 (1.54-2.62). Our data suggest that residents who experience SWD may be at risk of having lower threshold for the occurrence of rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM (NREM) sleep parasomnias. Additional research is needed to confirm these results, and to further identify the contribution to this association.

Employee burnout: the dark side of performance-driven work climates

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the role of “overtime norms” as a mediator between performance-driven work climates and employee burnout. This study also examines in-role performance and work engagement as moderators between high-performance climates and burnout.Design/methodology/approachA snowball sample of 214 full-time working adults from the United States participated via an online survey. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS and conditional process analysis.FindingsResults from conditional process analyses suggest (1) performance-driven climates are positively related to burnout, (2) overtime norms mediate the relationship between performance-driven climates and burnout, and (3) in-role performance and work engagement moderate that relationship such that highly competent and engaged employees are less prone to stress and burnout.Practical implicationsThese results highlight the dangers of performance-driven work climates on employee well-being. Trends toward extended work hours which can be exacerbated by technological advancements inevitably come at a cost. Managers and organizations should be careful not to prioritize work life over non-work life.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by identifying overtime norms as a mediator in the performance-driven work climate–burnout relationship. This study also identifies in-role performance and work engagement as resources that can reduce burnout.

Long working hours and exhaustion: A test of rumination as a mediator among mobile-flexible employees in activity-based offices

The present study examines the effect of extended work hours on experienced exhaustion in the evening in mobile-flexible employees who work in activity-flexible offices. In a seven-day diary study, it was anticipated that daily rumination is a mediator, linked to additional daily exhaustion in individuals. In a morning questionnaire, mobile-flexible employees completed daily questions about the link between extended work hours and exhaustion. Thirty-three employees completed daily questions on the extension of working hours, rumination, and exhaustion. Multilevel analyses of up to 238 daily measurements revealed that more intense extension of working hours predicted more rumination as well as exhaustion. Extended work hours and rumination both predicted more exhaustion. A test of the indirect effects showed no mediation from the extension of working hours via rumination to exhaustion. When designing mobile-flexible work models, overtime is a risk. Occupational prevention of exhaustion should promote recovery processes, especially as new work models may lead to increased rumination due to more personal responsibility of employees.

Positive Humor and Work Withdrawal Behaviors: The Role of Stress Coping Styles in the Hotel Industry Amid COVID-19 Pandemic.

Working in the hospitality industry is stressful due to the intensive workload and extended work hours; this stress has increased after the COVID-19 pandemic due to high levels of job insecurity, downsizing, and laying off procedures. Employees in the hotel industry can deal with stress positively by utilizing task-coping styles or negatively by emotion- and avoidance-coping styles. Building on the transactional theory of stress and coping, and the benign violation theory of humor, the current study explores the relationships between positive humor and work withdrawal behaviors with the mediating effects of coping styles. A total of 407 hotel employees participated, and the obtained data were analyzed by structural equation modeling with partial least squares (PLS). The results asserted that affiliative humor is able to reduce coping with stresses via the negative styles and to increase coping with stresses via the positive style. The results also demonstrated the ability of task-coping in reducing work withdrawal behavior. Significant insights into theoretical and practical implications are further discussed.

A structural equation model analysis of the association between work-related stress, burnout and job-related affective well-being among nurses in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AimTo test a model that examines the direct and indirect effects of work‐related stress on job‐related affective well‐being through compassion fatigue.BackgroundDespite the danger of infection, nurses' dedication to their work appears to be an innate desire to provide care for patients with COVID‐19. Nonetheless, the universal effort to control the outbreak has led to extended work hours and workload, which has been defined as the primary contributor to work‐related stress among nurses and might impact their job‐related affective well‐being.MethodWe used a cross‐sectional exploratory design. Data were collected using an online survey from 161 nurses working in the Saudi health care system. The survey included obtaining information on demographics and work‐related stress using Professional Quality of Life Scale version 5 to measure compassion fatigue as well as a job‐related affective well‐being scale.ResultsWork‐related stress had significant negative direct effects on job‐related affective well‐being and positive effects on compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue had significantly negative direct effects on job‐related affective well‐being. Work‐related stress exerted negative indirect effects on job‐related affective well‐being through compassion fatigue, which partially mediated the relationship.ConclusionThe findings supported the model and added to our understanding regarding the impact of work‐related stress on nurses.Implications for Nursing ManagementStress reduction is an important element in improving staff outcomes as well as job‐related affective well‐being.