Work Hours Research Articles

Faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan keluhan nyeri punggung bawah pada buruh di Balai Besar Kekarantinaan Kesehatan Makassar

Background: Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint and the leading cause of disability worldwide, with a prevalence ranging from 20% to 33% among all patients with musculoskeletal pain. Low back pain is not only experienced by the elderly but can also occur across all age categories, including the productive adult age group. Factors that may contribute to low back pain include age, length of service, workload, and duration of work. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between age, length of service, workload, and work duration with complaints of low back pain. Methods: This study is an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional approach. The population consists of all laborers at the Makassar Health Quarantine Center. The sample comprises 133 respondents from the population of laborers working at the Makassar Health Quarantine Center. The sampling technique used is random sampling with the Slovin formula. The measuring instrument used is the Numeric Rating Scale questionnaire. The statistical test employed is the Chi-Square Test, with Fisher's Exact Test as an alternative. Findings: The results of the study show a significant relationship between age (p-value ρ=0.000<0.05), length of service (ρ=0.000<0.05), workload (ρ=0.009<0.05), and work duration (ρ=0.000<0.05) with complaints of low back pain among laborers. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is a relationship between age, length of service, workload, and work duration with complaints of low back pain among laborers at the Makassar Health Quarantine Center. It is recommended that the Makassar Health Quarantine Center conduct regular medical check-ups for laborers, provide adequate work hours, and monitor and reduce the burden lifted by laborers.

Unveiling the health implications of working hours in the Indonesian workforce

This research aims to evaluate and compare the impact of working hours on the physical and psychological well-being of workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, where people were forced to work from home. While existing studies primarily concentrate on the physical and mental health of office workers, there is a notable gap in understanding how changes in work hours affect individuals in various professional sectors. This study seeks to address this gap by conducting a comprehensive investigation across a diverse range of employment, encompassing white collar, gray collar, and blue collar occupations. Using datasets from Indonesia's National Labor Survey (Sakernas) in 2019 and 2020, the study focuses on the working-age population engaged in various occupations, including employees, casual agricultural workers, and casual non-agricultural workers. Further categorization involves classifying individuals into white collar, gray collar, and blue collar segments. The total number of individuals analyzed was 215,607 in 2019 and 201,077 in 2020. Employing an ordered logistic regression method due to the categorical nature of the dependent variable, the study reveals consistent findings regarding the impact of working hours on health across the years 2019 and 2020. Extended work hours correlate with improved health outcomes, indicating better health for those working longer, while individuals with fewer hours exhibit lower chances of achieving good health. In 2019, occupational status significantly influences worker health, with gray and blue collar workers having lower probabilities of better health compared to white collar workers. However, this occupational effect on health is absent in 2020.

Working Time, Income Inequality, and Life Expectancy: A Longitudinal Analysis of US States, 2005–2018

Previous studies on the relationship between working time and health generally find that longer working hours are detrimental for health outcomes. An unexplored issue in prior research is how other social structures, such as income inequality, can influence the working time/health relationship. Integrating arguments on the health consequences of income inequality and working time, this study considers how income inequality moderates the relationship between working hours and average life expectancy. It is proposed that the effect of working hours on life expectancy is greater in places that have higher levels of income inequality due to the increased precarity, stress and anxiety associated with longer work hours. Examining data from all 50 US states from 2005 to 2018, results from two‐way fixed‐effect models suggest that states with longer average working hours tend to exhibit lower average life expectancy net of other important economic and demographic controls. The models also reveal that the effect of working time on life expectancy is larger in states with higher levels of income inequality. These findings suggest that there are complex linkages between working time and inequality that negatively impact population health.

Agent-Based Modeling for Sustainable Urban Passenger Vehicle Mobility: A Case of Tehran

In response to escalating congestion and deteriorating air quality in urban centers worldwide, exacerbated by overburdened transportation systems, there is an urgent need for accurate traffic forecasting and effective sustainable urban development strategies. This study employs agent-based modeling through four distinctive scenarios for Tehran, I. R. Iran. A synthetic population is meticulously crafted using simulated annealing, enabling the emulation of daily commuting patterns. Results show that by bolstering cycling infrastructure and enhancing public transportation services, reliance on private cars is reduced up to 46%. The introduction of flexible working hours reduces the traffic volumes during peak traffic hours by 47% and significantly altering the daily distances traveled by personal cars, as evidenced by a 1:6 ratio in car volume increase between scenarios emphasizing flexible working hours and those with more conventional traffic patterns. The results provide powerful insights for decisionmakers to manage the traffic especially in high polluted air conditions.

A Conceptual Framework for Analyzing Occupational Safety and Health Program Investment: Hierarchy of Controls-Based Approach

Introduction: The Frequency Rate (FR) of workplace accidents in 2019 was recorded at 3.4, meaning that for every million work hours, there were 3.4 cases of workplace accidents. In 2020, the FR increased to 3.6, and in 2021, it further rose to 3.8. Therefore, companies need to make improvements to reduce the number of work accidents by investing some resources in the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) investment program. This study aims to develop a conceptual framework for analyzing the OSH investment program by considering its benefits and costs. Methods: Hierarchy of controls was used in this study to classify and identify OSH programs, OSH investment items, and OSH implementation options. The in-depth interview was also conducted by involving several experts to formulate and justify the items in the conceptual framework. Result: This study resulted in 2 main aspects, namely carefully chosen OSH experts to ensure reliable and relevant information collected and involving a detailed analysis of different data levels (3, 2, and 1) along with a breakdown of costs for each level 1 data. Conclusion: The finding of this study is a conceptual framework to help and direct companies in order to analyze the selection of OSH programs, OSH investment items, and OSH implementation options by prioritizing the hierarchy of controls.

Shift Work Increases the Risk of Circadian Syndrome Rather than Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study of NHANES 2005-2010.

Introduction: Shift work disrupts sleep-wake cycles and may lead to adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. This study examines the association between shift work and the risks of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and circadian syndrome (CircS) in U.S. workers. Methods: We analyzed data from 4173 participants aged 18 and above from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2005-2010. Shift work status was determined based on work hours, and MetS and CircS were defined using established criteria. Statistical analyses included weighted multivariate logistic regression models, weighted multivariate linear regression models, and inverse probability weighted propensity score matching to ensure accurate comparison between shift and nonshift workers. Results: The study found no significant association between shift work and the prevalence of MetS. However, shift workers exhibited a higher prevalence of CircS compared with nonshift workers. This association was more pronounced in specific subgroups, including those under 60 years of age and various ethnicities. The study highlights the heightened risk of CircS among shift workers, underscoring the potential impact of shift work on circadian rhythm disruptions. Conclusion: Shift work is associated with an increased risk of CircS but not MetS, according to NHANES 2005-2010 data.

Addressing Vaccination Gaps through Student-Led Initiatives: A Study of Stanford Vax Crew's Impact

Background: Although vaccines are critical to disease prevention, substantial gaps persist in adult vaccination coverage in the United States due, in part, to material and social barriers. Farmworkers face unique challenges to accessing vaccination services, such as migratory residence, immigration status, low levels of insurance, and geographic distance from clinics, many of which were exacerbated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Student-driven, community-focused programs offer a potential mechanism to enhance vaccine equity. Stanford Vax Crew is a student-led organization that partners with community organizations to host pop-up vaccine clinics, which aim to (1) address the material barriers that impact vaccination status, (2) establish trust in vaccine services, and (3) equip future medical professionals with skills to engage in community health initiatives. Methods: This paper describes the strategies used by the organization to reach surrounding communities with vaccines, especially agricultural workers. It assesses the reach of the program through analysis of demographic data collected at pop-up clinics. Results: From August 2021 to March 2023, the majority of COVID-19 vaccine recipients were middle-aged adults (61%) of Hispanic ethnicity (82%) working in the agricultural, forestry, or fishing industries (58%). In total, 1377 COVID-19 vaccines were administered by Stanford Vax Crew. Conclusions: Findings suggest that Stanford Vax Crew's partnerships with diverse institutions helped facilitate access and build trust, thereby enhancing vaccine uptake. Partnership with agricultural employers and community-based organizations targeted farmworkers, which enabled the group to host clinics on farms immediately before and after work hours, which proved especially effective for reaching agricultural workers.

Long working hours and cardiovascular diseases, time for preventive action.

Long working hours and cardiovascular diseases, time for preventive action.

Technician assignment in multi-shift maintenance schedules in an offshore wind farm

Offshore wind farms are becoming more and more important to sustainable energy strategies, yet their maintenance presents unique logistical challenges. The focus of this research is the Technician Assignment Problem (TAP) which involves a complicated and fluctuating scheduling problem. The key objective is to determine the most effective assignment of technicians to maintenance tasks to maximize operational efficiency and ensure reliable service. This study introduces a mathematical optimization model that processes numerous variables—technician availability, skill sets, and temporal constraints—to minimize unmet maintenance needs and ensure equitable workload distribution. The model is based on assumptions derived from actual operational conditions and human resource practices, guaranteeing that its results are not only theoretically valid but also practically feasible. TAP adheres to labor regulations, employs human resource capabilities, and aims for a smart assignment of workforce. It complies with restrictions that prevent excessive work, require breaks, and ensure that technicians are assigned tasks that match their skills, thus promoting the well-being of the workforce and the efficiency of operations. The computational investigation of the model shows that it has a remarkable ability to improve scheduling decisions which effectively reduce unassigned positions and uniformly distribute work hours. In essence, this research contributes a methodologically robust framework to the field of workforce scheduling, with the potential to inform the maintenance strategies of offshore wind farms and similar complex service systems.

Prevalence and impact of persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers: A cross-sectional survey in the SIREN cohort

Following SARS-CoV-2 infection, some patients experience a range of long-lasting symptoms, with a specific burden on their lives and ability to work. We describe the prevalence and impact of persistent symptoms pre-/post-vaccination in SIREN study participants. A cross-sectional study of SARS-CoV-2 positive participants was carried out within SIREN, a frequently tested UK healthcare worker cohort with vaccination and demographic data available. Participants with a SARS-CoV-2 positive PCR or anti-SARS-CoV-2 sample between 01 March 2020 and 31 September 2022 were asked via a questionnaire about symptoms and days absent from work following infection. Responses were excluded if infection dates were inconsistent with study records or missing key data. Symptom type/duration and whether infection occurred pre-/post-vaccination and during which variant period were described. Logistic regression was used to estimate factors associated with persistent symptoms (>12 weeks), adjusting for vaccination and demographic factors. The median days absent from work were also determined. Of 16,599 invitations, 6677 participants responded, and 5053 were included in the analysis. The prevalence of persistent symptoms (symptoms lasting over 12 weeks) differed by infection episode; highest for first infections (32.7%; 1557/4767) compared to second (21.6%; 214/991) and third infections (21.6%; 16/74). Most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue, tiredness, shortness of breath and difficulty concentrating. A higher prevalence of persistent symptoms was reported during the Wild-type variant period compared to the other variant periods (52.9% Wild-type vs. 20.7% Omicron, for any symptom reported during their first infection). Overall, persistent symptoms were higher among unvaccinated participants (unvaccinated 38.1% vs vaccinated 22.0%). Multivariable analysis showed that participants were less likely to report persistent symptoms in infections occurring after vaccination compared to those with an infection before vaccination in the Alpha/Delta and Omicron periods (Alpha/Delta: adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 0.66, CI 95% 0.51-0.87, p = aOR 0.07, CI 95% 0.01-0.65, p = 0.02). About half of participants reported that their persistent symptoms impacted their day-to-day (51.8%) and work-related (42.1%) activities 'a little', and 24.0% and 14.4% reported that the impact was 'A lot'. 8.9% reported they had reduced their working hours, and 13.9% had changed their working pattern. Persistent symptoms were frequent in our cohort, and there was a reduction in symptom duration in those with multiple infection episodes during later variant periods and post-vaccination. The impact of persistent symptoms resulting in reducing working hours or adjusting working patterns has important implications for workforce resilience. UK healthcare workers were highly exposed during the pandemic, demonstrating a significant burden.

Psychosocial stress and working conditions of nursing home staff in Covid-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Psychosocial stress and working conditions of nursing home staff in Covid-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study Abstract: Background: With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 there were numerous changes in the daily professional lives of healthcare professionals. Aim: Since the focus has been mainly on hospital staff so far, it is also important to watch the care situation in old people's and nursing homes. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the daily professional life, the psychosocial situation and the interpersonal relationships of nursing staff in old people's and nursing homes in Brandenburg. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of nursing staff from old people's and nursing homes in Brandenburg in the period from August to December 2020. The questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis. Results: On the one hand, the increased workload with more difficult working conditions due to Covid-19 hygiene measures or increased working hours led to physical and psychosocial stress. In private life, increased social isolation was evident and changes in interpersonal relationships were stressful. On the other hand, the participants reported recognition and increased professional political interest. Conclusions: The Covid 19 pandemic highlighted pre-existing pressures on caregivers. In the future, it is important to improve the known workloads for nursing staff in old people's and nursing homes and to work out measures to counteract an increase of stress in situations like the pandemic.

Time-related underemployment in Indian agro-based industry during Covid-19.

COVID-19 has adversely affected the different aspects of work and society. Due to the decline in economic activity globally, employees were exposed to conditions in which they were forced to work for reduced working hours leading to an increase in time-related underemployment. The goal of the present study was to determine the extent of time-related underemployment and the rate of unutilized labor resource in the Agro-based Industry. This study was conducted with 500 middle-level and lower-level executives working in the Textile Industry and Food and Beverage Industry. Time-related underemployment is defined as a situation in which employees worked for less than 48 hours per week and were available and willing to work for additional hours. It was measured with both objective and subjective measures. Data was analyzed through percentages, mean, t-test, independent t-test, and chi-square. Results showed that Time-related underemployment in the Food and Beverage Industry was 5.00% as compared to the Textile Industry with 3.08%. The majority of employees were moderately underemployed both in the Textile Industry and Food and Beverage Industry. The rate of unutilized labor resource was more in Textile Industry (9.9%) as compared to Food and Beverage Industry (9.2%). However, the difference in both the industries was found to be insignificant (p > 0.05). COVID-19 has exposed many workers to the disadvantageous position of working fewer hours than the pre-determined threshold hours for full-time work. Therefore, proper strategies need to be adopted to properly use the labor resource of the economy.

Can Social Identities Improve Working Students’ Academic and Social Outcomes? Lessons from Three Studies

Previous research has linked working for pay while attending university with negative academic and health outcomes; yet, working students are often resilient when experiencing such adverse circumstances. This makes it crucial to explore potential psychological mechanisms that transform adverse experiences into sources of motivation and persistence for working students. We explore one mechanism—social identification—and its different foci—identifying as a student, employee, working student, or a student of one’s discipline of study—as potential predictors of important academic (academic self-efficacy, approaches to learning, and academic achievement) and social (status in society) outcomes in three cross-sectional studies. In Study 1, part-time working hours (but not identification processes) were associated with academic self-efficacy. In Study 2, discipline identification and part-time working hours were associated with using deep approaches to learning. In Study 3, student identification was associated with increased status in society. Overall, discipline identification may be solely linked to academic outcomes, but student identification should be explored further as a potential enhancer of social and graduate outcomes. We discuss additional mechanisms that can help to transform working students’ experiences through their social identities and suggest boundary conditions that can affect the link between these identities and important outcomes.

The Care Subsidy to the Labor Market: Rethinking the Care Diamond

Abstract The market is considered one of the four care agents and has been studied as a provider of paid services. However, the first part of this article posits the relevance of distinguishing two roles the market plays in care provision—private care provider and as the labor market—which shows, as feminist economics argues, that the market receives a subsidy from care work because the capital appropriates the value generated by the mostly female unpaid work in households through the family wage. The second part presents a methodology to estimate this subsidy of care to capital, based on time-use surveys and the computation of how many hours of total work are not paid for with household labor income using data from Mexico as a case study. With these figures, it is possible to develop public policy mechanisms that make the labor market co-responsible in care provision.

Validity of an expert-based job exposure matrix of hand-wrist physical exposures and their prospective associations with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Epidemiological studies of occupational risk factors for rare disorders require large study populations with adequate exposure estimates. Job exposure matrices (JEMs) linked to national information on standardized job titles may enable such large studies. We aimed to establish and validate a JEM for occupational hand-wrist exposures that could be linked to Danish national register data on job titles and hand-wrist disorders. We developed a JEM for hand-wrist repetition, force, vibration, and computer work in 96 job groups covering 91% of the 2227 occupational titles in the Danish version of the International Standard Classification of Occupation-88, and examined inter-rater reliability of five expert ratings. Poisson regression models were used to estimate incidence rate ratios for the association of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with the level of repetitive movements, force, vibration, and hours of computer work described by the JEM, adjusted for relevant confounders. The JEM based on expert ratings had fair to good interrater reliability. The incidence of CTS increased with increasing levels of force, hand-wrist repetition, and vibration, Exposure-response patterns for repetition and vibration became less consistent after adjustment for force. The interaction between repetition and force was complex and did not support an overall positive interaction. Computer work was negatively associated with incident CTS. The JEM was able to identify known risk factors for CTS consistent with current evidence, and provided further associations on exposure-response patterns, mutual exposure adjustment, and interaction effects between repetition and force. The reliability of expert assessments of hand-wrist physical exposures was fair to good.

Psychosocial and Longevity Factors as Predictors of Length of Stay in the Seafaring Profession

This study examines the psychosocial factors, longevity factors, and length of stay of millennial Filipino seafarers toward their maritime careers. A sample of 300 millennial seafarers were selected through purposive and convenience sampling techniques. The research instrument consisted of three sections: 1) assessing psychosocial factors; 2) evaluating longevity factors; and, 3) length of stay in the seafaring profession. Due to COVID-19 constraints, respondents were asked to answer the questionnaire via an online. Results indicated that millennial seafarers generally experience positive psychosocial conditions onboard, with high mean scores for psychological support, civility and respect, and involvement and influence. However, areas like recognition and reward, and growth and development showed slightly lower scores. In terms of longevity factors, all indicators were agreed upon by the respondents with high mean scores on empowered decision and workplace enjoyment factors. Findings have further revealed that fair reward systems and valued opinions have no significant influence on career duration, though with very small positive correlations on length of sea experience. Statistical analysis using Pearson correlation revealed significant positive relationships between psychosocial factors and longevity factors. Specifically, recognition and reward, growth and development, and organizational culture had strong correlations with fair reward systems. Multiple linear regression identified workload management, workplace enjoyment, and fair reward system as significant predictors of the length of sea service. The above findings have entailed a number of measures to be undertaken by concerned stakeholders. This includes strict compliance to a humane and acceptable levels of duties and responsibilities onboard, fixed hours of work based on the IMO guidelines, a well-crafted program that highlights provisions on proper workload management directly addressing the working conditions of Filipino seafarers, promotion of social and recreational activities onboard to guarantee workplace enjoyment of Filipino seafarers, and a reward system that maximizes their benefits in exchange of the hard work and perils they undergo in fulfilling the demands of a seafaring work.

Investigating perforated egg crates as dynamic shading systems for open-plan offices in tropical climates

This study explores the use of perforated egg crates as a dynamic shading system to improve daylight quality by achieving better uniformity in open-plan offices. Glazed curtain walls, although a popular choice in modern open-plan offices, can cause problems especially in tropical climates, such as glare and heat particularly near the windows. As egg crates (EC) generally perform better as shading devices than plain horizontal or vertical systems, this study simulated three different combinations of perforated, solid, overlapping and non-overlapping egg crate models for an existing open-plan office building in Indonesia. Daylight measurements of the existing horizontal shading device without any egg crate (NO-EC) were first recorded. Subsequent simulations of non-overlapping perforated (EC-NP) egg crate models with different blade widths and blade rotation angles in accordance with the sun elevation angles on specified working hours were performed. Similar simulations were then performed for two combinations: other combinations of overlapping solid (EC-OS) and overlapping perforated (EC-OP) egg crate models. Finally, a full-scale site mock-up of the EC-NP and NO-EC were tested under real-life climatic conditions. Results show that EC-NP provides better uniformity than the other two combinations, which is within the range of 0.59–0.99. This is due to the deeper penetration of daylight achieved by the overlapping placement of the horizontal blades in front of vertical blades, while keeping the building envelope shaded.

Positive Perspective: The Role of Narsism and Job Stressors on Work Productivity at Muhammadiyah University of Makassar

Many have carried out comprehensive testing. High work demands, but not accompanied by a conducive work environment can affect a person's productivity. This research is very important considering that work productivity is a demand, especially for study programs as a driver for the development and progress of a study program. Study programs have very extreme working hours which often cause some individuals to become stressed. This research emphasizes narsism in negative perceptions, uses secondary data and tries to construct other dimensions of narsism through positive perceptions which can stimulate work productivity both individually and in the surrounding environment. The objectives of this research are focused on 1) obtaining empirical evidence of the influence of narsism and job stressors on work productivity, 2) To check the tendency for narcissistic behavior to have a negative or positive value on work productivity. The research was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach. The research results show that Narsism has no effect on work productivity, while Job Stressors have a positive and significant effect on work productivity at the Muhammadiyah University of Makassar.

Multivariate analysis of psychological health among hospital infection prevention and control practitioners in Tianjin

Objective: To understand the occupational stress and mental health status of hospital infection prevention and control practitioner (HIPCPs) in medical institutions, and analyze their main influencing factors. Methods: In November 2021, 550 nosocomial infection managers in Tianjin were randomly selected to conduct a questionnaire survey using the Concise Occupational Stress Questionnaire, Depression Screening Scale (PHQ-9) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). 497 valid questionnaires were obtained, and the total recovery efficiency was 90.36%. Single factor analysis and multivariate logistic regression method were used to analyze the main influencing factors of occupational stress and mental health status of psychiatric managers. Results: The detection rate of anxiety and depression among 497 HIPCPs was 22.73% (113/497) and 58.95% (293/497), respectively. Gender and major were the influencing factors of depression (P=0.000, 0.001). Average working hours>52 hours per week and night shift days>1 days per week were the influencing factors of anxiety (P=0.035, 0.014). Average working hours>52 h per week, night shift days >1 d per week and different majors were the influencing factors of occupational stress (P=0.000, 0.025, 0.010). Multivariate logistic regression results showed that the risk of anxiety in those who worked more than 52 hours per week was 1.753 times that of those who worked less than 52 hours per week (P=0.038), and the risk of depression in women was 3.071 times that of men (P=0.006) . Conclusion: Working hours are an important influencing factor for occupational stress and anxiety among HIPCPs. In order to reduce the occurrence of occupational stress and mental health problems, it is necessary to strengthen psychological counseling for HIPCPs and balance work and rest.

Hours of work and the long‐run effects of in‐work transfers

AbstractPolicymakers have increasingly turned to ‘in‐work transfers’ to boost incomes among poorer workers and strengthen work incentives. One attraction of these is that labour supply elasticities are typically greatest at the extensive margin. Because in‐work transfers are normally subject to earnings‐related phase‐outs, they tend to most strongly incentivize part‐time work, weakening incentives to increase hours beyond that. But if part‐time work generates relatively little in the way of human capital and career progression, then policy design should factor in the longer‐term consequences of labour supply choices along the intensive margin. To that end, we use a dynamic model of female labour supply with endogenous human capital accumulation, and study actual and hypothetical welfare reforms in the UK. We show that for a given expansion in the government budget, those reforms that incentivize full‐time work can do considerably more to increase incomes, including among poorer households, and to raise welfare. Our results suggest that in‐work transfers could be refined by paying greater attention to the intensive margin effects through the design of their phase‐outs.