Overtime Work Hours Research Articles

Analysis Of Comparison Of Cost And Time Implementation Of Road Projects Using Methods Time Cost Trade Off

Maintenance project Napoleon road “Rumah Apung” in bangsring village of Wongsorejo subdistrict Banyuwangi. In the implementation of this project there were delays in some jobs, namely ordinary excavation, pavement exavation is paved without cold milling machine, and fc’ 25 Mpa quality concrete. So that it can affect other activities. One way to anticipate delays is by accelerating using the Time Cost Trade Off method, through alternative hours of work (overtime) for 3 hours on the first 3 days of work and the addition of labor for the first 3 days of work commenced.
 The result of the analysis of the two alternatives in this study obtained results for ordinary excavations with the addition of working hours (overtime) for 3 hours in the first three days of work started to obtain project cost efficiency of Rp. 5.537.232,- from the normal cost of Rp. 6.523.171,20,- compared to the addition of labor. Whereas paved pavement excavations without cold milling machines have a 9 day efficiency period from the normal duration of 12 working days and a cost efficiency of Rp. 2.412.000,- from the normal cost of Rp. 3.216.000,- compared to the additional hours of overtime work. For fc’ 25 Mpa quality concrete work, efficiency at normal project costs and time is 12 working days with normal costs Rp. 3.040.950,816,- in addition to working hours (overtime).

The effect of changes in overtime work hours on depressive symptoms among Japanese white-collar workers: A 2-year follow-up study.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of changes in overtime work hours on depressive symptoms among Japanese white‐collar workers.MethodsParticipant data were collected from a company's annual mental health survey in June 2013 and June 2014. The participants comprised 922 workers who responded to the survey in both the years and had records of monthly working hours in the past 2 years. We obtained information on monthly working hours from personnel records from June 2012 to May 2014. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Changes in overtime work hours were measured by creating a five‐category variable for each monthly average of overtime work hours in the past year: (a) stable short, (b) decreased, (c) stable medium, (d) increased, and (e) stable long groups. Analysis of covariance was conducted to estimate the degree of depressive symptoms of each group for changes in overtime work hours.ResultsSignificant differences among the groups were observed (F = 3.67, P = 0.006). In the Bonferroni multiple comparison test, significantly lower depressive symptoms were observed in the decreased group (point estimate = 9.56) compared to the stable short (10.76), stable medium (10.71), and increased groups (10.99). There was no significant difference between the decreased group and the stable long group (10.98).ConclusionsA decrease in overtime work hours may prevent the deterioration of mental health. This knowledge could support the necessity of mental health measures through decreasing overtime work hours proposed by national policy in Japan.

Patterns of changes in overtime working hours over 3 years and the risk for progression to type 2 diabetes in adults with pre-diabetes

No information exists regarding the effects of working hours on glucose metabolism in adults with pre-diabetes, a high-risk group for developing diabetes. Further, longitudinal patterns in working hours and their effects on glucose metabolism have not been described previously. We investigated the association between changes in overtime working hours over 3 years and the risk for progression to type 2 diabetes among adults with pre-diabetes. We analyzed patterns of overtime working hours from 2008 to 2011 among 18,172 workers in Japan (16,474 men, aged 30 to 64 years) with pre-diabetes in 2011 (baseline) using the sub-cohort data from the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study. Participants were followed up to March 2016. Overtime working hours per month were self-reported annually in 2008–2011 and trajectory patterns were identified using group-based trajectory modeling. Type 2 diabetes was diagnosed by fasting or random plasma glucose test, hemoglobin A1c, and history of diabetes. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios of incident diabetes were calculated using Cox regression. We identified 3 distinct trajectories of overtime work: persistently short, long-to-short, and persistently long. During a mean follow-up of 3.5 years, 1613 participants (8.9%) developed diabetes. Compared with persistently short overtime working hours, no material increase in diabetes risk was observed for either long-to-short working hours or persistently long working hours. After adjustment for potential confounders, this association was materially unchanged. The results suggest that among individuals with pre-diabetes, persistently long working hours over 3 years were not associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Factors Related to Affective Occupational Commitment among Japanese Nurses

We identified the factors related to affective occupational commitment among nurses in Japan by conducting a cross-sectional survey in 12 hospitals in the Tohoku and Kanto districts of Japan in 2013. Of the 4046 nurses in these hospitals, 1330 completed the self-report questionnaire (valid response rate: 32.9%). High job satisfaction, high professional autonomy, having a scholarship loan, and being married were strongly related to affective occupational commitment. Conversely, having a high effort-reward imbalance and fewer overtime work hours indicated a low level of such commitment. The findings suggest that professional autonomy and job satisfaction are key factors for developing affective occupational commitment. Programs that promote professional autonomy and make people feel more appreciated for their work should be created to improve such commitment, and it would be important to provide adequate organizational resources to increase job satisfaction and reduce effort-reward imbalance. The fact that longer working hours are related to affective occupational commitment suggests that excessive emotional commitment to one’s occupation can lead to overtime work. Therefore, nurse managers should consider the staff’s working situations more thoroughly.

Effect of occupational health nursing practice on musculoskeletal pains among hospital nursing staff in South Korea

Objective. The purpose of this study was to identify whether occupational health nursing variables serve as the contributing factors to musculoskeletal pains (MSP). Methods. A self-administered questionnaire composed of demographic characteristics, the practice of occupational health nursing and information regarding MSP was designed based on in-depth interviews with eight nurses. This study included 226 hospital nursing staff who worked at three university hospitals located in Seoul, South Korea. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS and AMOS 19.0. Results. Shoulder and neck pains occurred when subjects worked more than 46 h/week. Subjects who performed ‘work-time adjustment’ had lesser chance of having shoulder, leg/foot and wrist/finger pains. Overtime work hours showed an indirect effect on multiple sites of MSP by mediator variable, which was ‘work-time adjustment’. Organized night duty days eventually decreased multiple sites of MSP. Conclusion. Administration strategies for nurses to adjust work-time within 46 h/week should be considered.

A reinforcement learning methodology for a human resource planning problem considering knowledge-based promotion

This paper addresses a combined problem of human resource planning (HRP) and production-inventory control for a high-tech industry, wherein the human resource plays a critical role. The main characteristics of this resource are the levels of “knowledge” and the learning process. The learning occurs during the production process in which a worker can promote to the upper knowledge level. Workers in upper levels have more productivity in the production. The objective is to maximize the expected profit by deciding on the optimal numbers of workers in various knowledge levels to fulfill both production and training requirement. As taking an action affects next periods’ decisions, the main problem is to find the optimal hiring policy of non-skilled workers in long-time horizon. Thus, we develop a reinforcement learning (RL) model to obtain the optimal decision for hiring workers under the demand uncertainty. The proposed interval-based policy of our RL model, in which for each state there are multiple choices, makes it more flexible. We also embed some managerial issues such as layoff and overtime-working hours into the model. To evaluate the proposed methodology, stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) and a conservative method implemented in a real case study are used. We study all these methods in terms of four criteria: average obtained profit, average obtained cost, the number of new-hired workers, and the standard deviation of hiring policies. The numerical results confirm that our developed method end up with satisfactory results compared to two other approaches.

Sense of coherence modifies the effect of overtime work on mental health.

In the occupational health field, it is important to know how workload influences mental health. Overtime work and job strain appear to affect the mental health status of workers. Sense of coherence (SOC) may mediate the relationship between work stress and mental health. Since SOC represents a personal ability to manage psychological stressors, we hypothesized that a strong SOC would modify the adverse effect of an objective measure of overtime work on mental health. A total of 1,558 Japanese workers employed in an information technology company were asked to complete a 3-item SOC Questionnaire and 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) to assess mental health status. Workload was assessed by the actual amount of overtime work hours recorded by the company. Multiple regression analysis revealed a main effect of overtime work (β=0.08, p=0.0003) and SOC scores (β=0.41, p <0.0001) on GHQ scores. There was a tendency toward interaction between overtime work and SOC scores (β=0.05, p=0.051). Simple slope analysis supported this association (-1 SD below the mean, simple slope=0.04, SE=0.01, p < 0.0001; +1 SD above the mean, simple slope=0.01, SE=0.01, p=0.188). These results suggest that SOC buffers the mental health impacts of workload as measured by an objective index of overtime work, and should be considered when assessing the effects of workload on mental health.

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease, Metabolic Syndrome and Sleepiness in Truck Drivers

BackgroundTruck driver sleepiness is a primary cause of vehicle accidents. Several causes are associated with sleepiness in truck drivers. Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with sleep disorders and with primary risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We analyzed the relationship between these conditions and prevalence of sleepiness in truck drivers.MethodsWe analyzed the major risk factors for CVD, anthropometric data and sleep disorders in 2228 male truck drivers from 148 road stops made by the Federal Highway Police from 2006 to 2011. Alcohol consumption, illicit drugs and overtime working hours were also analyzed. Sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.ResultsMean age was 43.1 ± 10.8 years. From 2006 to 2011, an increase in neck (p = 0.011) and abdominal circumference (p < 0.001), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), triglyceride plasma levels (p = 0.014), and sleepiness was observed (p < 0.001). In addition, a reduction in hypertension (39.6% to 25.9%, p < 0.001), alcohol consumption (32% to 23%, p = 0.033) and overtime hours (52.2% to 42.8%, p < 0.001) was found. Linear regression analysis showed that sleepiness correlated closely with body mass index (β = 0.19, Raj2 = 0.659, p = 0.031), abdominal circumference (β = 0.24, Raj2 = 0.826, p = 0.021), hypertension (β = -0.62, Raj2 = 0.901, p = 0.002), and triglycerides (β = 0.34, Raj2 = 0.936, p = 0.022). Linear multiple regression indicated that hypertension (p = 0.008) and abdominal circumference (p = 0.025) are independent variables for sleepiness.ConclusionsIncreased prevalence of sleepiness was associated with major components of the MetS.

Buffering effects of job resources on the association of overtime work hours with psychological distress in Japanese white-collar workers.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the buffering effects of job resources, utilizing the job demands-control (or demand-control-support) and effort-reward imbalance models (i.e., job control, workplace social support, and extrinsic reward), on the association of overtime work hours with psychological distress in Japanese employees. A total of 1,198 participants (valid response rate = 93.7 %) from five branches of a manufacturing company in Japan completed a self-administered questionnaire comprising the scales assessing job resources, psychological distress, and demographic characteristics. We obtained the information on working hours in the most recent month from the personnel records of the surveyed company. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. In a series of analyses, interaction term of overtime work hours with each job resource was included in the model. Significant interaction effect of overtime work hours with job control was observed. Among the low job control group, the long overtime (80 h or more) subgroup had a significantly higher prevalence odds ratio of psychological distress compared to the short overtime (44 h or less) subgroup. No significant association of overtime work hours with psychological distress was found among the high job control group. On the other hand, there was no significant interaction effect of overtime work hours with workplace social support or extrinsic reward. The present findings suggest that high job control has an effect on reducing psychological distress in relation to overtime work hours in Japanese employees.

Relationship between overtime work hours and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI): a cross-sectional study in Japan.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the relationship between overtime work hours and CAVI, a new index of arterial stiffness. We measured CAVI of Japanese workers (3,862 men) aged 26 to 59 years. Simultaneously, we obtained information on their monthly overtime work hours for the past few months using a self-administered questionnaire, with responses divided into five groups: <45, ≥45 and <60, ≥60 and <80, ≥80 and <100 and ≥100 hours/month. We calculated the odds ratios of CAVI≥9.0 for each group of overtime work hours. In the full sample, there was no significant association between the average CAVI and overtime work hours. Taking<45 overtime hours/month as the reference category, the odds ratios of CAVI≥9.0 were as follows: OR=1.11, 95% CI=0.73-1.69 (≥45 and <60 hours/month); OR=0.92, 95% CI=0.48-1.76 (≥60 and <80 hours/month); OR=1.50, 95% CI=0.50-4.49 (≥80 and <100 hours/month); and OR=2.65, 95% CI=0.82-8.54 (≥100 hours/month). However, for workers in their 50 s, the odds ratio of CAVI≥9.0 was significantly higher among subjects with≥100 hours/month than among those with<45 hours/month (OR=4.26, 95% CI=1.2-15.1) CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that CAVI is more likely to be 9.0 or higher in workers in their 50 s when they work≥100 hours of overtime per month.

Overtime work and prevalence of diabetes in Japanese employees: Japan epidemiology collaboration on occupational health study.

ObjectiveEpidemiologic evidence on long working hour and diabetes has been conflicting. We examined the association between overtime work and prevalence of diabetes among Japanese workers.MethodsThe subjects were 40,861 employees (35,170 men and 5,691 women), aged 16 to 83 years, of 4 companies in Japan. Hours of overtime were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Diabetes was defined as a fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l), hemoglobin A1c ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol), or current use of anti-diabetic drug. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio of diabetes for each category of overtime.ResultsAfter adjustment for age, sex, company, smoking, and BMI, there was a suggestion of U-shaped relationship between overtime work and prevalence of diabetes (P for quadratic trend = 0.07). Compared with those who worked <45 hours of overtime per month, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of diabetes were 0.86 (0.77–0.94), 0.69 (0.53–0.89), and 1.03 (0.72–1.46) for those who worked 45–79, 80–99, and ≥100 hours of overtime per month, respectively. In one company (n = 33,807), where other potential confounders including shift work, job position, type of department, alcohol consumption, sleep duration, leisure time physical activity, and family history of diabetes was additionally adjusted for, similar result was obtained (P for quadratic trend = 0.05).ConclusionsLong hours of overtime work may not be associated with increased prevalence of diabetes among Japanese workers.

Impact of states' nurse work hour regulations on overtime practices and work hours among registered nurses.

To examine the degree to which states' work hour regulations for nurses-policies regarding mandatory overtime and consecutive work hours-decrease mandatory overtime practice and hours of work among registered nurses. We analyzed a nationally representative sample of registered nurses from the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses for years 2004 and 2008. We obtained difference-in-differences estimates of the effect of the nurse work hour policies on the likelihood of working mandatory overtime, working more than 40 hours per week, and working more than 60 hours per week for all staff nurses working in hospitals and nursing homes. The mandatory overtime and consecutive work hour regulations were significantly associated with 3.9 percentage-point decreases in the likelihood of working overtime mandatorily and 11.5 percentage-point decreases in the likelihood of working more than 40 hours per week, respectively. State mandatory overtime and consecutive work hour policies are effective in reducing nurse work hours. The consecutive work hour policy appears to be a better regulatory tool for reducing long work hours for nurses.

Effects of personality on overtime work: a cross-sectional pilot study among Japanese white-collar workers

BackgroundAs detailed associations between personality and long work hours are unclear, we assessed associations between personality dimensions and overtime work among Japanese white-collar workers.MethodsFrom records of hours worked over 12 months by 267 office workers in an organization within the service industry, average overtime work hours per month and occurrence of excessive overtime was determined for each worker. Excessive overtime was defined as > 45 overtime work hours per month for at least one month. Responses to a questionnaire assessing socio-demographic and workplace-related factors and the Big Five personality test were analyzed. Associations between personality factors and overtime work were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsLow Extraversion was associated with excessive overtime work (OR 2.02, 95%CI 1.02 – 4.02, P = 0.04).ConclusionsIt is suggested that workers with low Extraversion can’t share work when busy to avoid excessive overtime. Personality factors should be considered in studies evaluating work time. Moreover, strengthening communication among workers with low Extraversion may reduce excessive overtime work and associated health problems.

Assessing the relationships between nurse work hours/overtime and nurse and patient outcomes: Systematic literature review

BackgroundThe effects of work hours/overtime on nurse and patient outcomes and specific components of work hours (per shift and per week) and overtime on these effects have not been systematically examined. PurposeThe purpose of this review was to systematically evaluate the effect of nurse overtime and long work hours on nurse and patient outcomes. MethodsAn online search of six electronic bibliographic databases was conducted for research published from 2000 to 2013. DiscussionTwenty-one nurse outcome measures and 19 patient outcome measures were found in relationships with work hours and overtime. A total of 67 relationships to nurse outcomes and 41 relationships to patient outcomes were examined. ConclusionsThe findings of this review suggested that evidence supporting positive relationships between working long hours and adverse outcomes to the nurses is strong. However, to make a conclusion of the positive relationship between long work hours and adverse patient outcomes, more evidence is needed.

The Effects of Working Hours Schemes on Overtime Working Hours in Japan

Many believe that regulation of working hours is necessary to protect the welfare and health of employees. In Japan, employers cannot make employees work for more than 8 hours per day, or 40 hours per week. However, many in the business community claim that these regulations are not appropriate in the modern Japanese economy, in which the proportion of tertiary industry, such as the IT industry, is growing. Hence, they advocate the implementation of a “white-collar exemption” in Japan. Others argue that elimination of these regulations would increase working hours and allow unpaid overtime. This study uses micro data from Rengo Seikatsu Anketo Chousa, 2008 to study the effects of a white-collar exemption on working hours. Even though a white-collar exemption has not yet been introduced in Japan, discretionary work already seems to be underway, as if such an exemption were already in place. The results of this study indicate that discretionary work increases overtime working hours, while the management of working hours decreases overtime working hours.

Nurse Overtime, Working Conditions, and the Presence of Mandatory Nurse Overtime Regulations

Although more states have regulated mandatory nurse overtime, limited research has examined the impact of these regulations on the actual time nurses work and their working conditions. The purpose of this study was to compare nurse overtime and working conditions between states with and states without regulations limiting mandatory nurse overtime. Data were collected from registered nurses working in hospitals located in states with and without mandatory nurse overtime regulations; the final sample consisted of 219 nurses. No difference was found in overtime worked between nurses who worked in states with regulations or without. Those nurses working in states with regulations cared for more patients per shift and experienced more chronic nursing shortages on their nursing units than those working in states without regulation. Continuous efforts are needed to improve the implementation of regulations to reduce nurse mandatory overtime and long work hours.

Nurse Overtime, Working Conditions, and the Presence of Mandatory Nurse Overtime Regulations

Although more states have regulated mandatory nurse overtime, limited research has examined the impact of these regulations on the actual time nurses work and their working conditions. The purpose of this study was to compare nurse overtime and working conditions between states with and states without regulations limiting mandatory nurse overtime. Data were collected from registered nurses working in hospitals located in states with and without mandatory nurse overtime regulations; the final sample consisted of 219 nurses. No difference was found in overtime worked between nurses who worked in states with regulations or without. Those nurses working in states with regulations cared for more patients per shift and experienced more chronic nursing shortages on their nursing units than those working in states without regulation. Continuous efforts are needed to improve the implementation of regulations to reduce nurse mandatory overtime and long work hours.

Overtime Work and Blood Pressure in Normotensive Japanese Male Workers

Epidemiological studies have observed conflicting patterns as to whether overtime work increases blood pressure (BP), probably as a consequence of methodological issues. We conducted a prospective cohort study to investigate the relationship between overtime work hours and 1-year changes in BP in 1,235 normotensive Japanese male workers who carried out a variety of jobs in a manufacturing factory. Casual BP measurements were repeated at annual health examinations in 2004-2005, using an automatic manometer. An analysis of covariance that incorporated potential confounding factors including baseline age, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle factors was used to calculate and compare the means of the 1-year change in systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). The participants were grouped according to their average monthly overtime work hours obtained from timecard data between April and September 2004. The multivariate-adjusted mean for 1-year change in DBP in 611 male assembly-line workers was 1.5 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8-2.2) for <40.0 h/month, 2.3 mm Hg (95% CI 1.3-3.2) for 40.0-79.9 h/month, and 5.3 mm Hg (95% CI 2.7-7.9) for ≥ 80.0 h/month (P for heterogeneity = 0.02). A broadly similar pattern was observed for SBP. In contrast, there was no significant difference in means 1-year change for both SBP and DBP in 315 clerks and 309 engineers/special technicians, grouped according to overtime work hours. Extensive overtime work was associated with increased BP in normotensive male assembly-line workers, but not in clerks and engineers/special technicians.

State mandatory overtime regulations and newly licensed nurses’ mandatory and voluntary overtime and total work hours

Nurse overtime has been used to handle normal variations in patient census and to control chronic understaffing. By 2010, 16 states had regulations to limit nurse overtime. We examined mandatory overtime regulations and their association with mandatory and voluntary overtime and total hours worked by newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs). For this secondary data analysis, we used a panel survey of NLRNs; the final dataset consisted of 1,706 NLRNs. Nurses working in states that instituted overtime regulations after 2003 or in states that restricted any type of mandatory overtime had a lower probability of experiencing mandatory overtime than those nurses working in states without regulations. Nurses who worked in states with mandatory overtime regulations reported fewer total hours worked per week. The findings of this study provided insight into how mandatory overtime regulations were related to nurse mandatory and voluntary overtime and the total number of hours worked. Future research should investigate institutions’ compliance with regulations and the impact of regulations on nurse and patient outcomes.

Association between long working hours and sleep problems in white‐collar workers

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between long work hours and sleep disturbance among white-collar workers. We evaluated 1510 male white-collar full-time employees, between the ages of 18 and 59 years, using a comprehensive sleep quality questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). All subjects worked in a light metal products factory in Japan. The mean number of monthly overtime work hours was determined using data from the previous 6 months from timecard records. Subjects were divided into five groups based on quintiles of the mean number of monthly overtime work hours: <26 h month(-1); ≥26 but <40; ≥40 but <50; ≥50 but <63; and >63. Leisure time physical activity, drinking habits just before sleep, presence of family/partner and health status were used as confounding factors in the multiple regression model. The prevalence of short sleep hours, impairment of sleep efficiency and daytime dysfunction among seven components of PSQI increased, in a dose-response relationship, with overtime work hours. The prevalence of high global score (>5.5 points) was highest in workers with overtime hours ≥50 h week(-1). The odds ratios after adjustment for confounding factors for high global score using less than 26 h as a reference group were 1.67 for workers with ≥50 h and <63 h, and 1.87 for workers with 63 h and more. To conclude, the present results suggest that long work hours correlate with reduced sleep quality in a dose-response manner.