scholarly journals When would creative R&D employees like to work?

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 596-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaro Hazak ◽  
Raul Ruubel ◽  
Marko Virkebau
Keyword(s):  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Working Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multinomial Logit Regression ◽  
Working Day ◽  
End Times ◽  
Morning Type ◽  
Weekly Work

Purpose This paper aims to identify which types of creative R&D employees prefer which daily and weekly working schedules. Design/methodology/approach This paper builds on an original repeated survey of creative R&D employees from Estonia and presents multinomial logit regression estimates based on a sample of 153 individuals from 11 entities. Findings The probability of women preferring their weekly work to be concentrated in three to four days is 20 percentage points higher than in men, and the case is similar for less-educated creative R&D employees. The more educated prefer the standard five-day working week. Men have a stronger preference for their week of work to be dispersed over six to seven days. Sleep patterns appear to relate to working time preferences as morning-type individuals have a stronger preference for a working day with fixed start and end times. Those who sleep 7 h or more per day prefer the standard five-day working week more, while employees who sleep less than 7 h favour a working week of six to seven days. Employees who desire more creativity intensity at work have a stronger preference for irregular daily working hours, as do those with poorer general health. Originality/value The results indicate that individual characteristics have a significant impact on the preferences for working time arrangements. Similar working time regulations for all employees appear outdated, therefore, and may make work inefficient and harm individual well-being, at least for creative R&D employees.

scholarly journals Mothers’ non-standard working and childcare-related challenges

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 36-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanna Moilanen ◽  
Vanessa May ◽  
Eija Räikkönen ◽  
Eija Sevón ◽  
Marja-Leena Laakso
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Employment ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maternal Work ◽  
Lone Mother ◽  
Lone Mothers ◽  
Country Specific

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to particularly focus on lone-mother families, comparing the childcare-related challenges experienced by working lone mothers and coupled mothers in three European countries in the context of a 24/7 economy and non-standard working hours (e.g. evening, night and weekend work). Design/methodology/approach – This study utilises survey data from Finnish, Dutch and British working mothers (n=1,106) collected as part of the “Families 24/7” research project. Multivariate regression analysis is used to analyse the associations between childcare-related challenges, maternal non-standard working, lone motherhood and country of residence. Findings – The results indicated similar results across the three countries by showing that working lone mothers experience childcare-related challenges more often compared with coupled mothers. Furthermore, an increase in maternal non-standard working associated positively with increased childcare-related challenges in both lone mother and coupled families but lone motherhood did not moderate this association. The findings suggest that, regardless of family form, families in all three countries struggle with childcare arrangements when the mother works during non-standard hours. This possibly relates to the inadequate provision of state-subsidised and flexible formal childcare during non-standard hours and to the country-specific maternal work hours cultures. Originality/value – This study responds to the need for comparative research on the reconciliation of maternal non-standard working and childcare with self-collected data from three European welfare states. The importance of the study is further highlighted by the risks posed to the maintenance of maternal employment and family well-being when reconciliation of work and childcare is unsuccessful, especially in lone-mother families.

Psychosocial and physical activity behaviour among adults with intellectual disabilities in Hong Kong

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada Suet Ying Chan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Working Time ◽  
Outcome Expectation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sheltered Workshop ◽  
Activity Behaviour

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to get information on the background, demographic data and the lifestyle of adults with intellectual disability in Hong Kong shelter workshop; to get information on physical activity behaviour and psychosocial behaviour of adults with intellectual disability in Hong Kong sheltered workshop; to assess the concurrent validity and reliability of the baseline interview questionnaire (BIQ-C); and a trial run to test the feasibility on running a larger scale of study in future. Design/methodology/approach – Psychosocial behaviour was assessed by BIQ-C (Heller et al., 2006) with sub-scale self-efficacy, outcome expectation, barrier to exercise; and physical activity assessment by pedometers. The participants completed the BIQ-C with an interviewer on fifth day morning before started work. Both step counts were collected and activity data were recorded in a log book separately during working hours and non-working hours on each four consecutive weekdays. Findings – The percentage of obesity was serious among adults with intellectual disability in HK, especially on women; and adults with intellectual disability had more walking step counts in non-working time compared with that at working time, which was considered “low active” (5,000-7,499 step per day) in physical activity level. Besides, both male and female participants had high outcome expectation, barrier to exercise and low self-efficacy. Results showed that BIQ-C was valid and reliable as an outcome measure to be used for intellectual disability. Research limitations/implications – The sample represented adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability which were based on a centre supervisor ' s confirmation, and then subjects were randomly selected to participate. The results were based on mild to moderate grade participants wearing pedometer for four consecutive days, for those who were unable to wear the pedometer by themselves were excluded from this study (severe intellectual disability). Moreover, the results only reflect the number of steps during weekdays, there was no data on weekends. Practical implications – Assessment tools are valid and reliable among adults with intellectual disability in Hong Kong. Study showed that running a larger scale of intervention is possible and feasible in sheltered workshop. Originality/value – There is relatively little information on the physical activity patterns and psychosocial behaviour of workers with intellectual disability in Hong Kong, intervention may help understanding and promote health in this population.

scholarly journals Working hours organization impact mechanism upon work-related accidents on microeconomic level

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-40
Author(s):  
M. Titopoulou ◽  
E. Titopoulos ◽  
J. Staykova
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Working Time ◽  
Occupational Accidents ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Impact Mechanism ◽  
Work Related

Work organizations rapidly change, triggering the need for a dynamic approach regarding the occupational health and safety and accident prevention. The objective of this research is to examine the influence of the factor 'organisation of the working time' upon the occupational accidents in enterprises as well as to suggest a model of an impact mechanism of working time organization on the occurrence and prevention of accidents/near accidents, using a representative Bulgarian sample. The research is based on a survey conducted in 2016 among 410 employees (52.9% women; 47.1% men) from all economic sectors. Statistical processing and analysis are performed by SPSS/PSPP and statistical modeling by EViews/Gretl. Results show that approximately every fifth employee works longer than the standard weekly occupation of 40 hours; 17.1% of all suffered work-related accident(s); 36.2% work overtime and 41.1% recognize the presence of work-related health problems (most common are total fatigue, back pain, stress and headache). Among those respondents claiming to have work-related health problems, accidents at work occur most frequently when working over 40 h/week. The suggested 3-stage impact mechanism of the working time organization on the occurrence and prevention of occupational accidents allows us to track the chain effects of existing practices in enterprises with regard to working time organization, employees' well-being and the occurrence of work accidents. Prevention strategies should consider changes in scheduling practices, job redesign, and health protection programmes.

Work value orientations and worker well-being in the new economy

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 736-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrey Shevchuk ◽  
Denis Strebkov ◽  
Shannon N. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Work Values ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
New Economy ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Value Orientations ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Work Value

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to integrate work values research with the Job Demands–Resources model to assess the role that work value orientations play in self-employed workers’ subjective well-being. Design/methodology/approach The paper analyzes unique data on freelancers participating in an online labor market (n=9,984). Findings Intrinsic work values are associated with greater subjective well-being, whereas extrinsic work values are associated with lower subjective well-being. Consistent with the buffer hypothesis, intrinsic work value orientation reduces the negative effect of working hours on worker’s well-being, and extrinsic orientation enhances the negative effect. Originality/value This paper calls into question the importance of working conditions relative to worker values when assessing the role that job demands and resources play in the new economy. As work becomes more demanding and employment relations more flexible, personal resources such as work value orientations may become increasingly important for worker’s well-being.

scholarly journals Effect of Long Working Hours on Depression and Mental Well-Being among Employees in Shanghai: The Role of Having Leisure Hobbies

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 4980
Author(s):  
Zan Li ◽  
Junming Dai ◽  
Ning Wu ◽  
Yingnan Jia ◽  
Junling Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Working Time ◽  
World Health ◽  
Long Working Hours ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

Our aim is to examine the associations between long working hours and depression and mental well-being among the working population in Shanghai, as well as to identify the impact of having hobbies on these relationships. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shanghai, with depression assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale and mental well-being assessed by the World Health Organization five-item Well-Being Index (WHO-5) scale. The phenomenon of long working hours (69.3%) was quite common among employees in Shanghai, and the rate of working over 60 h was 19.3%. Those who worked over 60 h had the highest prevalence of poorer mental health compared with individuals working ≤40 h per week. After adjustment in the logistic regression model, those who reported weekly working time over 60 h were 1.40 (95%CI: 1.03–1.90) and 1.66 (95%CI: 1.26–2.18) times more likely to have depression and poor mental well-being (PMWB), respectively. Adjusted ORs for having hobbies were 0.78 (95%CI: 0.62–0.97) and 0.62 (95%CI: 0.51–0.75), respectively. Meanwhile, having hobbies could significantly lower the mean score on the PHQ-9 and elevate the mean score on the WHO-5 in each working time group, with no interaction effect. Long working hours could have a significantly negative impact on workers’ psychological health. Importantly, having hobbies in their daily lives might help to mitigate the adverse effects of long working hours on workers’ depression and mental well-being.

The association between self-reported health, late career transitions and working time modulations in England

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 424-440
Author(s):  
Jacques Wels
Keyword(s):  
Older Workers ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Working Time ◽  
Career Transitions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Change ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
The Impact ◽  
English Longitudinal Study ◽  
Types Of Change

Purpose There is an emerging literature focusing on the impact of late career transitions on health, but little is known so far about the role working time modulations might play in explaining older workers’ health. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach Using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) Waves 4–7, the paper assesses the association between the different types of change in working time, the total weekly working hours at baseline and the level of income and the change in Self-perceived health (SPH). The model controls for financial wealth, qualification, gender, age, the sector of activity and self-reported health at baseline. Findings Respondents who retire have a better SPH compared with those who keep working at constant working time. Those who work long hours benefit more from retiring. Respondents working long hours before being unemployed tend to be less affected by a negative change in SPH. Those who reduce working time by 50 per cent or more and work long hours at baseline have lower probabilities to be affected by a negative change in SPH compared with those who work fewer hours. Finally, low-paid workers are those who benefit the most from retiring or reducing working time. Social implications Results point out the need to foster working time arrangements for low-paid workers to prevent adverse health impacts. Originality/value There is a significant association between change in working time and change in self-reported health that has not been examined by previous studies.

Managing the work-family interface: experience of construction project managers

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Turner ◽  
Anthony Mariani
Keyword(s):  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Investment Model ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Family

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the work-family experience of projects managers working in the construction industry, and identify how they manage their work-family interface. Design/methodology/approach – Structured interviews were conducted with nine construction project managers working in the commercial sector, and data were subject to thematic analysis. Findings – Role conditions were found to impact on participants’ work-family interface, identified as working hours, accountability, and the stress arising from accountability. Participants identified four key strategies used to manage their work-family interface: managing work-based stress, having a supportive partner, prioritising non-work time for family, and trading off activities. Despite having to limit time with family and trade off social and leisure activities, participants did not report negative work-to-family spillover. All participants shared a passion for their work. Findings can be explained using the heavy worker investment model, which proposes that job devotion is linked to psychological well-being, decreases in work-family conflict (WFC), and work satisfaction. Originality/value – Contrary to previous research, findings suggest that construction project managers did not experience inter-role conflict between their work and family domains. It is recommended that further research explore these findings using the heavy work investment (HWI) framework which considers how internal and external predictors shape workers’ behaviour, and whether HWI typologies moderate the experience of WFC.

Workforce-management system boosts efficiency at Sysco

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 18-20
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Workforce Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flexible Working Hours ◽  
Flexible Working ◽  
Working Day ◽  
Employee Attendance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Observes how two companies are benefiting from a new workforce-management system. Design/methodology/approach – Examines how new software is helping the Sysco Group and Scan Computers. Findings – Shows how the two companies are better able to track each employee’s working hours and absences including sickness and time-off, to make things easier when it comes to things like payroll and holiday entitlement. Practical implications – Reveals that the biometric employee-attendance software uses fingerprint identification to track employees’ whereabouts throughout the working day. The software can cope with any type of work pattern and calculate overtime using its script engine. Originality/value – Explains that, with so many companies opting for flexible working hours or rotational shifts, the software makes these easier to put into practice.

scholarly journals Enhancing operations management through smart sensors: measuring and improving well-being, interaction and performance of logistics workers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Aloini ◽  
Andrea Fronzetti Colladon ◽  
Peter Gloor ◽  
Emanuele Guerrazzi ◽  
Alessandro Stefanini
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Operations Management ◽  
Material Handling ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of the research is to conduct an exploratory investigation of the material handling activities of an Italian logistics hub. Wearable sensors and other smart tools were used for collecting human and environmental features during working activities. These factors were correlated with workers' performance and well-being.Design/methodology/approachHuman and environmental factors play an important role in operations management activities since they significantly influence employees' performance, well-being and safety. Surprisingly, empirical studies about the impact of such aspects on logistics operations are still very limited. Trying to fill this gap, the research empirically explores human and environmental factors affecting the performance of logistics workers exploiting smart tools.FindingsResults suggest that human attitudes, interactions, emotions and environmental conditions remarkably influence workers' performance and well-being, however, showing different relationships depending on individual characteristics of each worker.Practical implicationsThe authors' research opens up new avenues for profiling employees and adopting an individualized human resource management, providing managers with an operational system capable to potentially check and improve workers' well-being and performance.Originality/valueThe originality of the study comes from the in-depth exploration of human and environmental factors using body-worn sensors during work activities, by recording individual, collaborative and environmental data in real-time. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the current paper is the first time that such a detailed analysis has been carried out in real-world logistics operations.

Working time alterations within the Australian construction industry

2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Townsend ◽  
Helen Lingard ◽  
Lisa Bradley ◽  
Kerry Brown
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Working Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Styles ◽  
Active Approach ◽  
Industry Standard ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a labour process theory interpretation of four case studies within the Australian construction industry. In each case study a working time intervention (a shift to a five‐day working week from the industry standard six days) was implemented as an attempt to improve the work‐life balance of employees.Design/methodology/approachThis paper was based on four case studies with mixed methods. Each case study has a variety of data collection methods which include questionnaires, short and long interviews, and focus groups.FindingsIt was found that the complex mix of wage‐ and salary‐earning staff within the construction industry, along with labour market pressures, means that changing to a five‐day working week is quite a radical notion within the industry. However, there are some organisations willing to explore opportunities for change with mixed experiences.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of this research include understanding the complexity within the Australian construction industry, based around hours of work and pay systems. Decision‐makers within the construction industry must recognize a range of competing pressures that mean that “preferred” managerial styles might not be appropriate.Originality/valueThis paper shows that construction firms must take an active approach to reducing the culture of long working hours. This can only be achieved by addressing issues of project timelines and budgets and assuring that take‐home pay is not reliant on long hours of overtime.

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