Flexible work schedules and mental and physical health. A study of a working population with non-traditional working hours

The relationship between health complaints and flexible work schedules was studied in a patient population selected by general practitioners. Four hun dred and eighty patients between 20 and 60 years, currently employed or on sick leave, completed questionnaires which compiled data on their work situ ation, subjective physical health, psychological well-being, and quality of sleep. Subjective health measurements were performed by using the 21-item Subjective Health Questionnaire (VOEG). Psychological well-being was measur ed by applying a selection of the Sickness Impact Profile. Duration and qua lity of sleep were measured through a selection of the Groningen Sleep Scal e. Patients working rotating shifts, compressed weeks, and irregularly chan ging hours showed significantly more health complaints, more problems relat ed to their psychological performance, and more sleeping problems than a co ntrol group of workers with non-flexible work schedules. Patients working o n temporary employment contracts reported significantly more problems with their psychological performance. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.