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The effect of work-time influence on health and well-being: a quasi-experimental intervention study among eldercare workers

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of work-time influence on stress and energy, work–family conflicts, lifestyle factors, and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk.

Methods

The study was a quasi-experimental intervention study with a one-year follow-up among eldercare workers (baseline: n = 309; follow-up: n = 297). The nine work units in the intervention group designed their own intervention. We categorized these work units into three subgroups according to the interventions that they initiated: (A) self-scheduling via a computer program (n = 35), (B) setting up a task group that developed a questionnaire on work-time preference and participated in a one-day course on flexible working hours with the intention to increase employee influence on the fixed rota (n = 62), and (C) discussions of how employee work-time influence could be increased (n = 25). These subgroups were compared with a reference group consisting of ten work units (n = 187). Data consisted of questionnaires, blood samples, and measurements of waist and hip circumference.

Results

The employees in subgroup A became increasingly involved in the planning of their own work schedule. Nevertheless, we found no effect on health and well-being attributable to the intervention.

Conclusion

The introduction of self-scheduling can successfully increase employee work-time influence. Yet, this study does not support the theory that increased work-time influence leads to better health and well-being.

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Acknowledgments

We thank laboratory technicians Ulla Tegner, Anne Abildtrup, Inge Christiansen, and Dorrit Meinche for their invaluable assistance with the data collection.

Conflict of interest

This study was financed by the national budget through a special 3-year grant to the SOSU research program at the National Research Centre for the Working Environment. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, P.O. Box 2099, 1014, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Kirsten Nabe-Nielsen & Finn Diderichsen

  2. The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lerso Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Anne Helene Garde

Authors
  1. Kirsten Nabe-Nielsen
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  2. Anne Helene Garde
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  3. Finn Diderichsen
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Correspondence to Kirsten Nabe-Nielsen.

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Nabe-Nielsen, K., Garde, A.H. & Diderichsen, F. The effect of work-time influence on health and well-being: a quasi-experimental intervention study among eldercare workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 84, 683–695 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-011-0625-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-011-0625-8

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