Non-working Hours Research Articles

Working at home and outside: Working conditions and non-working hours

In the presence of anti-epidemic restrictions, telework has become widespread around the world. This trend has provoked numerous debates on how efficient and convenient work from home is compared to that performed on special premises. However, work from home is not the only non-standard form of work activity. This study explores different types of workplace — locations and premises where workers perform their duties. Empirical analysis exploits microdata from “The time use survey” conducted by the Russian Statistical Agency in 2019. The survey identifies six types of work: on standard premises (offices or shop-floors), telework, homebased work, work performed in special facility (like kiosks, pavilions, gas filling stations, garages, etc.), in open air facilities (like construction sites or agricultural fields), or transportation/delivery services. These types of workplace differ in terms of employment and working conditions, work safety and commuting time, potentially contributing to social stratification. Thus, heterogeneity in “workplaces” contributes to social stratification, affects distribution of economic benefits and health risks and can be an additional measure of labor market inequality.

Working at home and outside: Working conditions and non-working hours

In the presence of anti-epidemic restrictions, telework has become widespread around the world. This trend has provoked numerous debates on how efficient and convenient work from home is compared to that performed on special premises. However, work from home is not the only non-standard form of work activity. This study explores different types of workplace — locations and premises where workers perform their duties. Empirical analysis exploits microdata from “The time use survey” conducted by the Russian Statistical Agency in 2019. The survey identifies six types of work: on standard premises (offices or shop-floors), telework, homebased work, work performed in special facility (like kiosks, pavilions, gas filling stations, garages, etc.), in open air facilities (like construction sites or agricultural fields), or transportation/delivery services. These types of workplace differ in terms of employment and working conditions, work safety and commuting time, potentially contributing to social stratification. Thus, heterogeneity in “workplaces” contributes to social stratification, affects distribution of economic benefits and health risks and can be an additional measure of labor market inequality.

Performance of the RACE Prehospital Triage Score During Working and Nonworking Hours

Background Prehospital triage scores aim to identify large vessel occlusions (LVOs) in the field; however, their real‐world performance and accuracy across a 24‐hour period remains unknown. In this study, we compare the positive predictive value of the prehospital Rapid Arterial occlusion Evaluation (RACE) score for the detection of LVO during working hours and nonworking hours. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients presenting with a RACE score of ≥5 at one comprehensive and one thrombectomy‐capable hospital between July 2015 and December 2019. Patients were dichotomized to those presenting during “working hours” (7:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays) or “nonworking hours” (6:01 pm to 6:59 am on weekdays or anytime during weekends). The primary outcome was diagnosis of LVO. Secondary outcomes included diagnosis of acute neurovascular syndromes, door‐to‐treatment time metrics, and a modified Rankin Scale of ≤2 in those undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Results Of the 701 patients with RACE score ≥5, 687 patients were included (355 nonworking hours and 332 working‐hours cohorts). Mean age was 71 and 72 years in the nonworking hours and working hours groups, respectively ( P =0.13). Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and baseline demographics were comparable between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in the diagnosis of LVO (36.3% versus 34.6%; P =0.69) or final discharge diagnosis. The positive predictive value of the RACE score for the detection of an acute neurovascular syndrome (transient ischemic attack and stroke) was improved during nonworking hours (76.3% versus 67.8%; P =0.01). In patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy, rates of good clinical outcome were similar (44.7% versus 48%; P =0.76), despite the shorter door‐to‐groin‐puncture and revascularization times during working hours. Conclusions The RACE score shows a consistent positive predictive value in determining LVO during working and nonworking hours. However, it is more accurate in determining acute neurovascular syndromes during nonworking hours, which is driven by a decrease in stroke mimics during this time.

Actual condition of civil servants participation on historic conservation in their non-working hours

Actual condition of civil servants participation on historic conservation in their non-working hours

Job crafting promotes internal recovery state, especially in jobs that demand self-control: a daily diary design

BackgroundResearch on how employees recover from work has focused primarily on recovery during non-work hours (external recovery) rather than recovery during work hours (internal recovery). Using the conservation of resources theory as a conceptual framework, we tested whether job crafting promotes an internal recovery state, and examined the processes that explain this association.MethodsUsing the daily diary method, 120 full-time employees provided information before and after work for 5 days by rating job crafting, ego depletion, self-control demands at work, fatigue and vigor.ResultsThe results of multilevel modeling showed that after controlling for employees’ fatigue and vigor before work, daily job crafting predicted significantly better internal recovery (greater vigor and lower fatigue at the end of workday), and this association was mediated by lower ego depletion. The links between job crafting and internal recovery were stronger for employees with high self-control demands at work.ConclusionsThis study extends recovery research by examining internal recovery as well as job crafting as its antecedent. Further, the present study suggests that managers may consider encouraging and offering job crafting interventions for employees to achieve internal recovery state.

Analyzing energy consumption patterns of an educational building through data mining

Green building standards were adopted around the world to minimize energy consumption and carbon emission from the building sector. However, designing buildings following the standards does not guarantee a low-energy building. Actual energy consumptions in buildings were reported, on average, 2.5 times higher than predictions during the design stage, which is known as the performance gap. Most building operation managers do not have the tool and knowledge to understand the reasons for such differences. Moreover, current building management systems (BMS) do not have the intelligence to identify such differences and their sources. Understanding the root causes of the performance gap is even more difficult in an educational building because of its different usage patterns and various space types. This research aims to analyze the energy consumption patterns of different spaces in a mixed-use educational buildings and identify possible sources of energy waste using an unsupervised data mining approach. A 5-star Green Star-rated educational building in Melbourne, Australia, was considered for the case study. The results showed electrical and gas energy performance gaps of 2.4 and 3.1 times, respectively, in the studied building. Further analysis revealed that energy consumption during non-working hours was 48% of total energy consumption during the one-year studied period, which is very high and was one of the possible sources of waste. During the holidays, the mechanical system and plug loads ran as per the weekday operating schedule in an empty building, resulting in energy waste. Actual hourly lighting and plug load consumption profiles differed significantly from the predicted profile during design. Based on the findings, several recommendations were made to minimize the performance gap in an educational building.

Might insecurity and use of ICT enhance internet addiction and exhaust people? A study in two European countries during emergency remote working

Facing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we have witnessed a strong recourse to generalised lockdowns and to the deployment of remote working. These emergency measures have also thrown employers and employees into uncertainty regarding the present and future existence of their job. The present study aimed to examine the role of job insecurity and job demands in non-working hours through technologies on emotional exhaustion mediated by Internet addiction. A total of 999 remote workers, 501 of whom live in France and 498 in Italy, completed a self-report questionnaire during the first lockdown. Results suggest that both job insecurity and the requests to use technology for work purposes during non-work time exacerbate emotional exhaustion through the mediation of Internet Addiction. Limitations, future perspectives, and implications for management are discussed.

The Effect of the Ideal Worker Norm on Employees

In today’s organizations, supervisors expect employees to be highly productive throughout their workday, no matter how long they work or when they work. These expectations have been termed the “ideal worker norm” (Davies & Frink, 2014). The ideal worker prioritizes their work over other life domains and shows this dedication to work by working overtime and non-traditional hours, being always available, visibly working (e.g., sending emails during non-work hours), and being unhampered by non-work obligations (Kelly et al., 2010; Reid, 2015; Sallee, 2012). The nascent ideal worker literature has focused on defining the norm, but the effects of the ideal worker on employees has been little studied. For example, gendered social roles, in which women are caretakers and men are breadwinners, may affect perceptions of female employees’ ability to fulfill the ideal worker norm, regardless of family context, negatively affecting their careers. Likewise, for men who deviate from this expectation, such as those who request flex time or parental leave (Sallee, 2012), they may be perceived as unable or unwilling to live up to the ideal worker norm. This paper symposium explores the effects of the ideal worker norm on the careers of male and female employees. Family-to-Work Conflict, Ideal Worker Norm Violation and Trust: Gender Bias in Evaluations Presenter: Jennica R. Webster; Marquette U. Presenter: Gary A Adams; Marquette U. Presenter: Andrea Schneider; Marquette U. Just Not Good Enough: How Supervisor Sexism Beliefs Affect Employee Promotability and Development Presenter: Clarissa Rene Steele; Kansas State U. Who are “Ideal Workers”? Intersection of Age, Gender, and Race Presenter: Vanessa Burke; Pennsylvania State U. Presenter: Alicia A. Grandey; Pennsylvania State U. Presenter: Teresa Frasca; Pennsylvania State U. Individual Worker and Managerial Characteristics that Influence Granting of Working from Home (WFH) Presenter: Alyson Gounden Rock; McGill U. - Desautels Faculty of Management “We Deserve Work-Life Balance Too”: Experiences of Dual-Career Professional Couples Without Children Presenter: Galina Boiarintseva; Niagara U. Presenter: Souha R. Ezzedeen; York U. Presenter: Julia Richardson; Curtin U. Presenter: Christa Wilken; York U. Getting Down to Brass Tacks: The Effect of Focusing on Results Instead of Ideal Worker Cues Presenter: Aurora Turek; -

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies among eye care workers in South India

PurposeHealth care workers are at higher risk of acquiring the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This study aims to understand the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody among the eye care workers in South India. MethodsThe participants included eye care workers from the nine eye care centres. All the participants were interviewed with a questionnaire to obtain essential information about socio-demographics, past contact with COVID-19 patients and additional information as recommended by Indian Council of Medical Research, India. Serum samples were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies by ELISA. ResultsA total of 1313 workers were included and 207 (15.8%) were positive for the SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody. The seropositivity was higher in the moderate risk group (19.5%) followed by low (18.6%) and high risk (13.7%) groups. The seropositivity was significantly higher among i) day scholars compared to hostellers (OR - 2.22, 1.56 to 3.15, P ​< ​0.0001), ii) individuals with history of flu-like illness (4.57, 3.08–6.78, P ​< ​0.001) or who were symptomatic or in contact with COVID 19 positive cases (2.2, 1.02–4.75, P – 0.043) and iii) individuals with history of systemic illness (2.11, 1.39–3.21, P ​< ​0.001). Individuals (11.97%) who had no history of contact or any illness were also seropositive. ConclusionsThe effectiveness of the protective measures taken against COVID infection was evident from the lower percentage of seropositivity in the high risk group. The study highlighted the need to create awareness among individuals to follow strict safety measures even in non-work hours and also in social circles.

Admission en soins psychiatriques a la demande d’un tiers : de l’appel au SAMU a l’hospitalisation

BackgroundInvoluntary psychiatric hospitalization (IPH) is a heavy and complex psychiatric exception measure. In the Seine-Saint-Denis department (low medical density), the evaluation of the patient in psychiatric decompensation is the responsibility of the out-of-hours general practitioners (GP) mandated by the call center. Their feeling is the non-achievement of the procedure once the patient arrives at the emergency room. We aimed to evaluate the outcome of patients following a request for IPH from these GP. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study based on all requests for IPH received during 2016 at the Seine-Saint-Denis emergency medical call center. The characteristics of the call and the patient, as well as the decisions of the regulator and the GP were collected. The decision of hospitalization in the emergency room was sought for patients referred for IPH. ResultsOf the 7541 calls for decompensation, 539 were for an IPH. These calls occurred during non-working hours in 55 % of cases. A GP was involved in more than two-thirds of the cases and requested an IPH for 240/304 (79 %) patients. Patients were male in 56 % of cases with an average age of 40 (±16) years. IPH was confirmed for 132 (61 %) patients. This rate did not differ from the 65 % reported in the literature (Z-test, P=0.26). Voluntary hospitalization was performed for 37 (17 %) other patients. DiscussionThe IPH rate for patients referred by GP mandated by the call center was comparable to that following the requests of the attending physicians, validating their intervention in this critical context.

Optimal sleep and work schedules to maximize alertness.

Working outside the conventional "9-to-5" shift may lead to reduced sleep and alertness impairment. Here, we developed an optimization algorithm to identify sleep and work schedules that minimize alertness impairment during work hours, while reducing impairment during non-work hours. The optimization algorithm searches among a large number of possible sleep and work schedules and estimates their effectiveness in mitigating alertness impairment using the Unified Model of Performance (UMP). To this end, the UMP, and its extensions to estimate sleep latency and sleep duration, predicts the time course of alertness of each potential schedule and their physiological feasibility. We assessed the algorithm by simulating four experimental studies, where we compared alertness levels during work periods for sleep schedules proposed by the algorithm against those used in the studies. In addition, in one of the studies we assessed the algorithm's ability to simultaneously optimize sleep and work schedules. Using the same amount of sleep as in the studies but distributing it optimally, the sleep schedules proposed by the optimization algorithm reduced alertness impairment during work periods by an average of 29%. Similarly, simultaneously optimized sleep and work schedules, for a recovery period following a chronic sleep restriction challenge, accelerated the return to baseline levels by two days when compared to the conventional 9-to-5 work schedule. Our work provides the first quantitative tool to optimize sleep and work schedules and extends the capabilities of existing fatigue-management tools.

Prediction of office building electricity demand using artificial neural network by splitting the time horizon for different occupancy rates

Due to the impact of occupants’ activities in buildings, the relationship between electricity demand and ambient temperature will show different trends in the long-term and short-term, which show seasonal variation and hourly variation, respectively. This makes it difficult for conventional data fitting methods to accurately predict the long-term and short-term power demand of buildings at the same time. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes two approaches for fitting and predicting the electricity demand of office buildings. The first proposed approach splits the electricity demand data into fixed time periods, containing working hours and non-working hours, to reduce the impact of occupants’ activities. After finding the most sensitive weather variable to non-working hour electricity demand, the building baseload and occupant activities can be predicted separately. The second proposed approach uses the artificial neural network (ANN) and fuzzy logic techniques to fit the building baseload, peak load, and occupancy rate with multi-variables of weather variables. In this approach, the power demand data is split into a narrower time range as no-occupancy hours, full-occupancy hours, and fuzzy hours between them, in which the occupancy rate is varying depending on the time and weather variables. The proposed approaches are verified by the real data from the University of Glasgow as a case study. The simulation results show that, compared with the traditional ANN method, both proposed approaches have less root-mean-square-error (RMSE) in predicting electricity demand. In addition, the proposed working and non-working hour based regression approach reduces the average RMSE by 35%, while the ANN with fuzzy hours based approach reduces the average RMSE by 42%, comparing with the traditional power demand prediction method. In addition, the second proposed approach can provide more information for building energy management, including the predicted baseload, peak load, and occupancy rate, without requiring additional building parameters.

Effects of cycling workstation to get tertiary employee moving on their overall health: study protocol for a REMOVE trial

BackgroundSedentary behaviour (SB) and low levels of physical activity (PA) are predictors of morbidity and mortality. Tertiary employees spend a considerable amount of their daily time seated and new efficient strategies to both reduce sedentary time and increase physical activity are needed. In that context, the REMOVE study aims at evaluating the health effects of a 24-week cycling desk intervention among office workers.MethodsA prospective, open-label, multicentre, two-arm parallel, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted in office-sitting desk workers. Office workers (N = 80) who have 0.8 full time equivalent hours (FTE) and 75% of this time in a sitting position will be recruited from tertiary worksites in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Subjects will be randomly assigned to one of the two following interventions: (i) PPM6: performance of two 30 min of cycling desk (using portable pedal exercise machine—PPM) per working day for 6 months or (ii) CTL_PPM3: 3 months with no intervention (control) followed by 3 months during which workers will be asked to complete two 30 min of PPM per working day. At baseline (T0), at 3 months (T1) and at 6 months (T2) after the start of the interventions, primary outcomes; 7-day PA and SB (3D-accelerometers), secondary outcomes; body composition (bioelectrical impedance), physical fitness (aerobic fitness, upper and lower limb strength), metabolic outcomes (fasting blood samples), self-perceived stress, anxiety, quality of life at work and job strain (questionnaires), tertiary outcomes; resting metabolic rate and cycling energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry) and eating behaviours (questionnaires) will be measured. An ergonomic approach based on observations and individual interviews will be used to identify parameters that could determine adherence.DiscussionThe REMOVE study will be the first RCT to assess the effects of cycling workstations on objectively measured PA and SB during working and non-working hours and on key physiological and psychological health outcomes. This study will provide important information regarding the implementation of such cycling workstations in office workers and on the associated potential health benefits.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.govNCT04153214. Registered on November 2019, version 1

The effects of ventilation and filtration on indoor PM2.5 in office buildings in four countries

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an airborne pollutant associated with negative acute and chronic human health outcomes. Although the majority of PM2.5 research has focused on outdoor exposures, people spend the majority of their time indoors, where PM2.5 of outdoor origin can penetrate. In this work, we measured indoor PM2.5 continuously for one year in 37 urban commercial offices with mechanical or mixed-mode ventilation in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We found that indoor PM2.5 concentrations were generally higher when and where outdoor PM2.5 was elevated. In India and China, mean workday indoor PM2.5 levels exceeded the World Health Organization's 24-hour exposure guideline of 25 μg/m3 about 17% and 27% of the time, respectively. Our statistical models found evidence that the operation of mechanical ventilation systems could mitigate the intrusion of outdoor PM2.5: during standard work hours, a 10 μg/m3 increase in outdoor PM2.5 was associated with 19.9% increase in the expected concentration of indoor PM2.5 (p < 0.0001), compared to a larger 23.4% increase during non-work hours (p < 0.0001). Finally, our models found that using filters with ratings of MERV 13–14 or MERV 15+ was associated with a 30.9% (95% CI: −55.0%, +6.2%) or 39.4% (95% CI: −62.0%, −3.4%) reduction of indoor PM2.5, respectively, compared to filters with lower MERV 7–12 ratings. Our results demonstrate the potential efficacy of mechanical ventilation with efficient filtration as a public health strategy to protect workers from PM2.5 exposure, particularly where outdoor levels of PM2.5 are elevated.

Does Internet Connectedness Disconnect Marriage? A Micro Empirical Analysis

This study explores the relationship between internet use during non-working hours and marriage well-being and channels through which internet use operates on marital satisfaction. With a 2-year nationwide micro panel data, our main results reveal negative effects of internet experience on overall marriage satisfaction, satisfaction towards spousal contribution in housework and marital stability. Empirically, we adopt linear as well as nonlinear models, use propensity score matching approach, and implement parametric as well as semiparametric analyses. Evidence further show that active internet users can use the internet to chat with strangers and easily access potential romantic partners. Its social function leads to a substantial reduction in search cost and raised reservation value of partner contribute to a lower level of spousal satisfaction. Moreover, it was also found that internet use partially weakens traditional Chinese views of family gender roles. And gender ideology changes through internet’s educational function has increased spousal dissatisfaction in China. In addition, it is found that internet use crowds out time spent on housework as well as other investment in current marriage, and hence increases spousal dissatisfaction.

Pollen and Fungal Spores Evaluation in Relation to Occupants and Microclimate in Indoor Workplaces

Indoor air quality depends on many internal or external factors mutually interacting in a dynamic and complex system, which also includes indoor workplaces, where subjects are exposed to many pollutants, including biocontaminants such as pollen and fungal spores. In this context, the occupants interact actively with their environment through actions, modifying indoor environmental conditions to achieve their own thermal comfort. Actions such as opening/closing doors and windows and turning on/off air conditioning could have effects on workers’ health. The present study explored the contribution of human occupants to pollen and fungal spore levels in indoor workplaces, combining aerobiological, microclimate, and worker monitoring during summer and winter campaigns. We evaluated the overall time spent by the workers in the office, the workers’ actions regarding non-working days and working days, and non-working hours and working hours, during two campaigns of pollen and fungal spore monitoring. Our results showed that the biocontaminant values depend on many mutually interacting factors; hence, the role of all of the factors involved should be investigated. In this regard, aerobiological monitoring should be a valid tool for the management of occupational allergies, providing additional information to improve occupational health protection strategies.

근로시간 외 정보통신기술을 통한 업무연락이 정서적 반추, 일-가정 갈등 및 정서적 고갈에 미치는 영향: 호텔 및 면세점 종사원을 대상으로

근로시간 외 정보통신기술을 통한 업무연락이 정서적 반추, 일-가정 갈등 및 정서적 고갈에 미치는 영향: 호텔 및 면세점 종사원을 대상으로

The Place of Imaginative Literature in the Christian Life

We have more leisure time today than in any period in history. We also have more options for spending that leisure time. For most people (unless you are an English professor, like me), reading fiction is easily seen as purely a leisure activity. And for many, watching sports, streaming movies, or scrolling Twitter seem like more relaxing, less demanding ways to fill non-working hours. Adding the reading of fiction to already overscheduled and overthinking lives can seem frivolous in a world of hurry, need, and stress. Even the Christian who is an avid reader can be tempted to view time spent on imaginative literature as taking away from more important material such as Scripture, theology, and history. Yet, fiction—and here I will be talking primarily of literary fiction—has much to offer the Christian.

Exposure of street sweepers to cadmium, lead, and arsenic in dust based on variable exposure duration in zinc smelting district, Northeast China

Street dust is an important contributor to heavy metal exposure in street sweepers. In this work, the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in street dust were evaluated, and the corresponding health implications for street sweepers in the smelting district of Huludao city northeast China were assessed. The contributions of dietary sources and dust to total metal exposure in street sweepers were compared. Because street sweepers are exposed to street dust both during work and nonwork hours, the health risks faced by street sweepers are uncertain. Therefore, variable exposure duration was considered using a deterministic model. A probabilistic risk assessment model was developed to explore the health effects of street dust on street sweepers via Monte Carlo simulation. The various exposure parameters that affect risk were analyzed using sensitivity analysis. The average Cd, Pb, and As levels in the hair of street sweepers were 2.04, 20.12, and 0.52 mg·kg-1, respectively. These values were higher than those for residents (i.e., not street sweepers) of Huludao. Strong correlations were found between the logarithms (base 10) of the Cd, Pb, and As contents in dust and hair (rCd = 0.581, p < 0.01; rPb = 0.428, p < 0.01; rAs = 0.378, p < 0.01; n = 62). Based on analysis using deterministic models, the maximum exposures to Cd and Pb via dust through the alimentary canal were nearly three and six times higher than the dietary exposures, respectively. Sensitivity analysis indicated that exposure duration is an important parameter.

Experiences of Mental Health Clinicians and Staff in Rapidly Converting to Full-Time Telemental Health and Work from Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The mitigation strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic pushed much of the mental health workforce to rapidly convert to full-time telemental health (TMH). For many people, this occurred in the context of working from makeshift home offices with novel distractions. We describe the results of an online survey of mental health clinicians and staff regarding their experiences in rapidly converting to full-time TMH and work from home (WFH) during COVID-19. Methods: Fourteen clinicians and 11 administrative staff from two outpatient mental health clinics in a large academic medical center completed the survey in May 2020. Results: More than 85% of participants rated the experience of providing or supporting full-time TMH care as "somewhat better" or "much better than expected." Clinicians and administrative staff reported perceptions that most clients were satisfied with TMH services. Identified TMH challenges included difficulty providing clinical forms and difficulties with technology. Identified benefits of WFH included lack of commute, time with loved ones, opportunities for self-care, and increased flexibility. Maintaining team cohesion and communication while working remotely, and setting boundaries between work and nonwork hours were identified as challenges. Nearly all respondents indicated a preference to continue some TMH from home in the future. Conclusions: Findings suggest that rapidly adopting TMH and WFH during a pandemic were well accepted. Should the progression of the pandemic require agile movement in and out of TMH and WFH, overcommunication and extra attention to supporting employee connection and morale are especially important.