Original article

Scand J Work Environ Health 2004;30(2):139-148    pdf

https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.771 | Issue date: Apr 2004

Impact of worktime arrangements on work-home interference among Dutch employees

by Jansen NWH, Kant I, Nijhuis FJN, Swaen GMH, Kristensen TS

Objectives This study examined the effects of different worktime arrangements on work-home interference while taking into account other work-related factors, private situation and health status, explored gender differences in this relation, and examined reciprocal effects between workhours and work-home interference.

Methods Data from the Maastricht cohort study on fatigue at work were used with 8 months of follow-up (N=6947 at baseline).

Results Worktime arrangements were related to work-home interference among the men and women, even after control for confounding. As compared with daywork, baseline shiftwork was associated with higher work-home interference over time. Within daywork, full-time work was prospectively related to higher work-home interference than part-time work was. For full-timers, baseline overtime work, hours of overtime work, change in number of workhours, and commuting time were related to higher work-home interference over time, whereas compensation for overtime work, familiarity with work roster, ability to take a day off, and a decrease in workhours at own request were associated with less work-home interference. For the part-timers, baseline overtime work and commuting time were related to higher work-home interference over time, whereas compensation for overtime, flexible workhours, and ability to take a day off were protective against work-home interference. Reciprocal relations between work-home interference and workhours were also found.

Conclusions Worktime arrangements are clearly related to work–home interference. Because reciprocal effects
exist as well, important selection processes may exist. Nevertheless, specific characteristics of worktime
arrangements could constitute useful tools for reducing work–home interference.

This article refers to the following texts of the Journal: 2001;27(2):97-105  1998;24(3):197-205