Does individual choice determine shift system acceptability?

The relationship between individual control of hours of work and tolerance of shiftwork was examined in a group of nurses and midwives. Two levels of individual control were studied: (i) choosing to work on a regular shift system, e.g. a permanent night shift; and (ii) working on a flexible, rotatin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ergonomics 1993-01, Vol.36 (1-3), p.93-99
Main Authors: BARTON, JANE, SMITH, LAWRENCE, TOTTERDELL, PETER, SPELTEN, EVELIEN, FOLKARD, SIMON
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Control
Employment
Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology
Flexible
Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology
Individual choice
Medical sciences
Midwifery
Nurses
Shift systems
Social research
Working hours
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Summary:The relationship between individual control of hours of work and tolerance of shiftwork was examined in a group of nurses and midwives. Two levels of individual control were studied: (i) choosing to work on a regular shift system, e.g. a permanent night shift; and (ii) working on a flexible, rotating shift system where individual choice of shift-sequencing is taken into account. Greater tolerance to shiftwork was found to be associated with more control over hours of work. The advantages of flexible as opposed to irregular shift-rostering, and of choosing to work on a regular permanent night shift were highlighted clearly. The results offer some contribution to the permanent night versus rapidly-rotating shift system debate.
ISSN:0014-0139
1366-5847
DOI:10.1080/00140139308967859