Longer Hours, Fewer Days May Promote Worker Health, Productivity

Calling it a Compressed Working Week, British researchers are suggesting a shorter work week may improve the detrimental health effects of shift work at the same time it improves employee morale and boosts productivity. Twenty percent of all European workers are involved with shift work in one form or another, usually working five 8-hour days. The research team says both the employee and the employer may benefit from three or four 12-hour days instead.

Reporting in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, the research team identifies digestive problems, fatigue, sleep difficulties, and stress-induced illness as common complaints from shift workers. They are also prone to miss work due to illness more often than those who work during standard business hours.

The research team reviewed 40 studies previously conducted that explore the work-life balance of shift work, including the health effects of a shift-working lifestyle. Using self-reported feedback from workers trying the Compressed Working Week theory, the research team says there appears to be no detrimental effects on worker health when working the shorter week. The study also reveals a lowered risk of adverse effects to health or organizational issues when the work week is compressed. No evidence of diminished productivity or loss of competitive edge was discovered.

The research team, comprised of researchers from various public health centers affiliated with several universities in Great Britain, suggest the concept of a Compressed Working Week might prove beneficial in the long term by providing a healthier work environment, including policies that enhance a shift worker’s well-being and productivity.

Source: Public Health Research Consortium

Filed under: Lifestyle, Medical Research, Prevention

Tags:

Comments

3 Responses to “Longer Hours, Fewer Days May Promote Worker Health, Productivity”

Ed Coburn on August 26th, 2008 6:32

This sort of meta analysis is yet another confirmation. The trend towards 12-hour shifts in shiftwork operations has been growing steadily over the past 10-15 years as both employers and employees typically like them better. The raise concerns about shift work scheduling and overtime management practices since overtime on top of a 12-hour shift is usually not a good idea.

The National Shiftwork Information Center does not advocate any particular approach to managing a shiftwork operation but we do feel strongly that choices enhance productivity, safety, and quality of life so we support a regulatory and management environment that tolerates 12-hour shifts.

Ed Coburn
Executive Director
National Shiftwork Information Center
http://shiftworkinformation.blogspot.com/
Life Clerks » Would You Opt Into a Four Day Workweek? [Reader Poll] on August 26th, 2008 9:09

[...] you had the choice, would you opt into a four-day workweek? ( polls) Longer Hours, Fewer Days May Promote Worker Health, Productivity [...]
Jason on August 27th, 2008 2:07

I once had a contract IT programming job for 9 months. I could manage about 9.5hours max a day before it got to you. I did that 5 days a week. So I think it depends on the type of work your doing.