International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Research

19 pages, 1279 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Working Time Control and Variability in Europe Revisited: Correlations with Health, Sleep, and Well-Being

by Nils Backhaus

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 14778; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214778 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1534

Working time control (WTC) and working time variability (WTV) are two important dimensions of working times, especially with regard to the dynamics of irregular working hours in a changing world of work. Both dimensions are closely related, and the terms are sometimes used [...] Read more.

Working time control (WTC) and working time variability (WTV) are two important dimensions of working times, especially with regard to the dynamics of irregular working hours in a changing world of work. Both dimensions are closely related, and the terms are sometimes used synonymously. However, a high degree of WTC does not automatically lead to variable or irregular working hours. On the contrary, WTV is often imposed by the employer and does not necessarily occur in conjunction with high WTC. This article gives an overview of different European WTC and WTV regimes using a typological approach. Based on the European Working Conditions Survey 2015 (EWCS, n = 27,607), four employee groups are compared: those with (1) high WTC and high WTV, (2) high WTC and low WTV, (3) low WTC and high WTV, and (4) low WTC and low WTV. Firstly, the analyses aim to assess whether WTC and WTV vary across European countries due to different working time regimes and in different occupational sectors, i.e., hospitality, retail, and health and social work. Secondly, multi-level analyses are used to describe correlations with health (self-rated health, psychosomatic complaints), sleep (sleep problems), and well-being (WHO-5-Scale). The analyses suggest that WTC and WTV differ between European countries: in the northern countries, high WTC/high WTV is most prevalent, whereas low WTV/low WTC is more common in the other countries. As far as employee health and sleep are concerned, high WTV is associated with poor health, i.e., a greater number of psychosomatic health complaints, worse self-rated health status, and more sleep problems. However, the correlation appears to be weaker for psychosomatic health complaints when employees have high WTC. Significant correlations could not be found for WTC. Low WTC and high WTV is more common in occupational sectors in hospitality, retail, and health and social care; however, these occupational sectors show the same correlations regarding health, sleep, and well-being. The analyses indicate that it is crucial to consider WTV and WTC together in order to understand the dynamics of irregular working hours and health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Effects of Irregular Working Hours on Physical and Mental Health)

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20 pages, 1080 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Time-Varying Effect of Participatory Shift Scheduling on Working Hour Characteristics and Sickness Absence: Evidence from a Quasi-Experiment in Hospitals

by Jarno Turunen, Kati Karhula, Annina Ropponen, Aki Koskinen, Rahman Shiri, Mikael Sallinen, Jenni Ervasti, Jaakko Pehkonen and Mikko Härmä

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 14654; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214654 - 8 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2280

Abstract

Participatory shift scheduling for irregular working hours can influence shift schedules and sickness absence. We investigated the effects of using participatory shift scheduling and shift schedule evaluation tools on working hour characteristics and sickness absence. We utilized a panel data for 2015−2019 with [...] Read more.

Participatory shift scheduling for irregular working hours can influence shift schedules and sickness absence. We investigated the effects of using participatory shift scheduling and shift schedule evaluation tools on working hour characteristics and sickness absence. We utilized a panel data for 2015−2019 with 16,557 hospital employees (6143 in the intervention and 10,345 in the control group). Difference-in-differences regression with ward-level clustered standard errors was used to estimate the average treatment effect on the treated coefficients relative to timing of the intervention with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Using participatory scheduling tool increased long working hours and weekend work and had delayed effects on the short (1–3 days) sickness absences. Increased effects were observed: 0.2 [95% CI 0.0−0.4] days for the second, and 0.8 [95% CI 0.5−1.0] for the third year after the onset of intervention. An average increase of 0.5 [95% CI 0.1−0.9] episodes on all sickness absence episodes was observed for the third year. Using the shift schedule evaluation tool with the participatory shift scheduling tool attenuated the adverse effects. To conclude, participatory shift scheduling increased some potentially harmful working hour characteristics but its effects on sickness absence were negligible, and further attenuated by using the shift schedule evaluation tool. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Effects of Irregular Working Hours on Physical and Mental Health)

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17 pages, 2307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Individual Characteristics of the Naval Personnel on Sleepiness and Stress during Two Different Watchkeeping Schedules

by Mikko Myllylä, Heikki Kyröläinen, Tommi Ojanen, Juha-Petri Ruohola, Olli J. Heinonen, Petteri Simola, Tero Vahlberg and Kai I. Parkkola

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13451; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013451 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2142

Abstract

Background: Naval service can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of seafarers, and the operation of warships is highly dependent on the personnel on board. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the impact of seafarers’ individual characteristics on their wellbeing [...] Read more.

Background: Naval service can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of seafarers, and the operation of warships is highly dependent on the personnel on board. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the impact of seafarers’ individual characteristics on their wellbeing in a naval environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate individual characteristics of the naval personnel that may be associated with the amount of sleepiness, fatigue and stress responses experienced during shift work and irregular working hours in a naval environment. Methods: The study took place on a Finnish Defence Forces’ Navy missile patrol boat on which 18 crewmembers served as study participants. The measurement periods lasted two separate weeks (seven days and six nights) during shift work with two different watchkeeping systems (4:4, 4:4/6:6). The onboard measurements consisted of the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, salivary stress hormones, cognitive tests (Sustained Attention to Response Task and N-back Task) and heart rate variability. Results: Participants of older ages or with a longer history in naval service were associated with a greater amount of sleepiness, fatigue and stress responses on board. On the contrary, increased physical activity and a higher level of physical fitness, especially standing long jump, were associated with a lower amount of sleepiness, fatigue and fewer stress responses. In addition, an athletic body composition together with a healthy lifestyle may be beneficial, considering the stress responses on board. Conclusion: The present results are well in line with the previous literature regarding shift work and irregular working hours. The results highlight the importance of regular physical activity and good physical fitness during service in the naval environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Effects of Irregular Working Hours on Physical and Mental Health)

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11 pages, 767 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Reported Sleepiness after 2, 4, and 7 Consecutive Night Shifts and Recovery Days in Danish Police Officers

by Marie Aarrebo Jensen, Helena Breth Nielsen, Mikael Sallinen, Jesper Kristiansen, Åse Marie Hansen and Anne Helene Garde

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10527; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710527 - 24 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1511

Abstract

Background: Night shift work often implies shorter sleep duration and this can lead to sleepiness, which has been associated with an increased risk of accidents and injuries. The aim is to study how the number of consecutive night shifts affects self-reported sleepiness. Participants [...] Read more.

Background: Night shift work often implies shorter sleep duration and this can lead to sleepiness, which has been associated with an increased risk of accidents and injuries. The aim is to study how the number of consecutive night shifts affects self-reported sleepiness. Participants and methods: The study was a quasi-experimental, within-subject crossover study with 73 police officers. Three work schedules of two, four, and seven consecutive night shifts followed by the same number of recovery days, i.e., days worked or days off, was performed by all participants. Sleepiness was self-reported using the Karolinska sleepiness scale (KSS) every fourth hour on the last night shift and the last recovery day in each sequence. Results: We observed differences in the level of sleepiness between recovery days and night shift days but no differences in the pattern of sleepiness levels on night shift days in the different work schedules. The highest levels of KSS were observed before bedtime (at 07:00 after a night shift and 23:00 on a recovery day). Conclusion: The number of consecutive night shifts did not affect the self-reported levels of self-reported sleepiness among Danish police officers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Effects of Irregular Working Hours on Physical and Mental Health)

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12 pages, 346 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in the Work Schedule of Nurses Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Relationship with Sleep and Turnover Intention

by Ingebjørg Louise Rockwell Djupedal, Ståle Pallesen, Anette Harris, Siri Waage, Bjørn Bjorvatn and Øystein Vedaa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148682 - 17 Jul 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2349

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether different types of changes in the work schedule of nurses working rotating shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with sleep duration, sleep quality, and turnover intention. Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire data from 694 nurses participating in [...] Read more.

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether different types of changes in the work schedule of nurses working rotating shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with sleep duration, sleep quality, and turnover intention. Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire data from 694 nurses participating in the SUrvey of Shift work, Sleep and Health (SUSSH) were collected between the first and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway. A total of 89.9% were female, and mean age was 44.6 years (SD = 8.6 years). Changes in the shift work schedule related to the pandemic comprised reports of more long workdays (>8 h), less days off between work periods, more night shifts, more quick returns (i.e., 11 h or less between two consecutive shifts), more day shifts, and more evening shifts compared to no change in the respective shift characteristics. Change in sleep duration, sleep quality, and turnover intention as well as demographics were also assessed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate whether changes in the specific work schedules were associated with sleep duration, sleep quality, and turnover intention, controlling for sex, age, cohabitation, children living in household, percentage of full time equivalent and other changes in the work schedule. Results: A total of 17% reported experiencing one or more changes in their work schedule during the pandemic. Experiencing any change in the work schedule predicted worse sleep quality (OR = 2.68, p < 0.001), reduced sleep duration (OR = 4.56, p < 0.001), and higher turnover intention (OR = 1.96, p = 0.006) compared to experiencing no change in work schedule. Among the specific changes in work schedules, experiencing an increase in quick returns had the highest odds ratio for worse sleep quality (OR = 10.34, p = 0.007) and higher turnover intention (OR = 8.49, p = 0.014) compared to those who reported no change in quick returns. Nurses experiencing an increase in long workdays were more likely to report higher turnover intention (OR = 4.37, p = 0.003) compared to those experiencing no change in long workdays. Conclusions: Change in work schedule related to the pandemic was associated with worse sleep quality, reduced sleep duration, and higher turnover intention. Increase in quick returns emerged as especially problematic in terms of sleep quality and turnover intention, along with long workdays, which were associated with higher turnover intention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Effects of Irregular Working Hours on Physical and Mental Health)

9 pages, 1480 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Longitudinal Study on Trajectories of Night Work and Sickness Absence among Hospital Employees

by Oxana Krutova, Aki Koskinen, Laura Peutere, Jenni Ervasti, Marianna Virtanen, Mikko Härmä and Annina Ropponen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 8168; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19138168 - 3 Jul 2022

Viewed by 2266

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate trajectories of night shift work in irregular shift work across a 12-year follow-up among hospital employees with and without sickness absence (SA). The payroll-based register data of one hospital district in Finland included objective working hours and SA [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate trajectories of night shift work in irregular shift work across a 12-year follow-up among hospital employees with and without sickness absence (SA). The payroll-based register data of one hospital district in Finland included objective working hours and SA from 2008 to 2019. The number of night shifts per year was used in group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM). The results indicate that, among those who had any sickness absence episodes, the amount of night work decreased prior to the first SA. In general, trajectories of night shift work varied from stably high to low-but-increasing trajectories in terms of the number of shifts. However, a group with decreasing pattern of night work was identified only among those with sickness absence episodes but not among those without such episodes. To conclude, the identified trajectories of night work with or without sickness absences may indicate that, among those with sickness absence episodes, night work was reduced due to increasing health problems. Hence, the hospital employees working night shifts are likely a selected population because the employees who work at night are supposed to be healthier than those not opting for night work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Effects of Irregular Working Hours on Physical and Mental Health)

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17 pages, 1530 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sleep and Sleepiness Measured by Diaries and Actigraphy among Norwegian and Austrian Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Pilots

by Tine Almenning Flaa, Bjørn Bjorvatn, Ståle Pallesen, Erik Zakariassen, Anette Harris, Pia Gatterbauer-Trischler and Siri Waage

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4311; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074311 - 4 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2081

Abstract

The study examined sleep and sleepiness among shift working Helicopter Emergency Medical Service pilots from Norway (Norwegian Air Ambulance; NAA) and Austria (Christophorus Flugrettungverein; CFV). Both pilot groups (N = 47) worked seven consecutive 24 h shifts. Sleep was assessed by diaries and [...] Read more.

The study examined sleep and sleepiness among shift working Helicopter Emergency Medical Service pilots from Norway (Norwegian Air Ambulance; NAA) and Austria (Christophorus Flugrettungverein; CFV). Both pilot groups (N = 47) worked seven consecutive 24 h shifts. Sleep was assessed by diaries and actigraphy while sleepiness was assessed by the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, all administered throughout the workweek. The results indicated that all pilots had later bedtime (p < 0.05) and wake-up time (p < 0.01) as they approached the workweek end, but no change during the workweek was evident regarding wake after sleep onset, time in bed, total sleep time, or sleep efficiency. The NAA pilots had later bedtime (p < 0.001) and wake-up time (p < 0.001), spent more time awake after sleep onset (p < 0.001), more time in bed (p < 0.001), slept longer (p < 0.01), and had lower sleep efficiency (p < 0.001) compared with the CFV pilots. The sleepiness levels of all pilots were slightly elevated on the first workday but lower on the following workdays (^{day 2}p < 0.001, ^{day 3}p < 0.05). For both pilot groups, no major change in sleep or sleepiness parameters throughout the workweek was detected. The NAA pilots reported somewhat more disturbed sleep but obtained more sleep compared with the CFV pilots. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Effects of Irregular Working Hours on Physical and Mental Health)

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17 pages, 1810 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Work-Time Control and Exhaustion: Internal Work-to-Home Interference and Internal Home-to-Work Interference as Mediators

by Laura Vieten, Anne Marit Wöhrmann and Alexandra Michel

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3487; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063487 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2449

Abstract

Strong work-time control (WTC) has been linked to reduced employee exhaustion, with work-to-home interference as an underlying mechanism. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mediation effect of both directions of internal work–home interference, namely internal work-to-home interference (IWHI) and internal home-to-work [...] Read more.

Strong work-time control (WTC) has been linked to reduced employee exhaustion, with work-to-home interference as an underlying mechanism. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mediation effect of both directions of internal work–home interference, namely internal work-to-home interference (IWHI) and internal home-to-work interference (IHWI). The analysis is based on data from the 2015, 2017, and 2019 BAuA-Working Time Survey, a representative German panel study. Cross-lagged panel models were estimated separately for IWHI and IHWI, based on the balanced panel (n = 3390). We investigated the hypothesized indirect as well as potential direct, reversed, and reciprocal effects of the constructs. WTC had a small but significant indirect effect on exhaustion via IWHI. Contrary to assumptions, WTC positively affected IHWI. Unexpectedly, there was no significant effect of IHWI on exhaustion. Hence, only IWHI was identified to mediate WTC’s effect on exhaustion. This implies that WTC helps employees avoid exhaustion from psychological preoccupation with work during free time. In addition, analyses suggested reversed and reciprocal relationships between the investigated constructs. Further investigation is needed to explore the role of psychological preoccupation with private matters during work time in the context of WTC and employee well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Effects of Irregular Working Hours on Physical and Mental Health)

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